Randolph – Doris (Frink) Stone, 102, formerly of Coldspring Road, and more recently of the Randolph Manor, went home to the Lord on Friday, December 16, 2022.
Born on August 2, 1920, in the family home in Red House, she was the daughter of the late Clarence “Mike” and Bessie Fuller (France) Frink.
Throughout her life, Doris has seen many changes. She went from living in a world of Model T’s, rudimentary electric fixtures, and no phones, to space travel, the internet, and smart phones.
Education was always a priority for Doris. Even as a young girl, she was bound and determined to go to college and become a teacher. She kept her promise to herself and graduated from Fredonia Normal School in 1940 with a degree in teaching and later received her master’s degree in Education from SUNY at Buffalo in 1946. Using her degree, Doris first taught in a one room schoolhouse in Red House and then later embarked upon her 30-year teaching career at Randolph Central School.
While in college, Doris met her future husband, Robert “Bob” E. Stone. They were married on November 27, 1947, and started their farm life together on Coldspring Road. After retiring from teaching, Doris and Bob made many wonderful memories traveling throughout the country. This all ended on a sad day in August of 1984, when Bob was killed in a horse accident on the farm.
Doris never stopped making memories with her family and friends. She loved reading and taking painting and quilting classes with her friends. During her later years, Doris created beautiful paintings and intricate quilts that will always be treasured by her family.
She was life-long member of the Fidelity Chapter of Randolph Order of the Eastern Star, the East Randolph United Methodist Church, the New York State Retired Teachers Association, and National Education Association.
Doris enjoyed the last years of her life at the Randolph Manor – a home she loved. The staff treated her like family, and she enjoyed spending wonderful moments with them and with her friends. Doris’s family is so thankful for all the love and compassionate care that she was given at the Manor.
If you were to ask Doris the secret to a long life, her answer would be to always exercise, eat right, drink tea, and have faith in God.
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her son, Thomas Stone, great grandson, Wyatt Palmer, and two brothers, Donald Frink, Clayton Frink and Clayton’s wife, Olive.
Survivors include her two daughters, Karolie Lerow (Donald) and Doneen Nikas; her grandchildren, Jason (Randy) Stone, Tyler (Barry) Stone, Sarah (Chris) Cranston, Luke (Nadine) Nikas, Karen (Ken) Palmer and Alex (Brittany) Nikas; great grandchildren, Christopher and Scott Cranston, Eli, Jack, Claire and Ethan Nikas, Quinn and Vivian Palmer and Calla and Burkley Nikas; her sister-in-law and best friend, Phyllis Frink; her “adopted daughter,” Elaine Sluga, who took wonderful care of Mom during her stay at the Manor; her daughter-in-law, Linda Stone; several step-grandchildren, including Joe and Matt Crosson; Chuck, Chris and Scott Pontti and Jane Tingley; and several step-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Friends may call on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Van Rensselaer & Son Funeral Home, 14 Church Street in Randolph.
Funeral Services will follow the calling hours at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Randolph Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband and son. Reception will be held at the East Randolph United Methodist Church following the graveside service.
Because of her love of reading, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Randolph Library, 26 Jamestown Street, Randolph, NY 14772.