Pauline Eva Marie (Bellemare) Sutphen & Stanley Waters Sutphen, Jr.

Pauline Eva Marie (Bellemare) Sutphen (August 4, 1935 – January 31, 2025) and Stanley Waters Sutphen, Jr. (March 23, 1932 – May 17, 2016) were a devoted couple who shared a life full of love, family, and service. Together they built a family and a legacy that will continue to live on in the hearts of their loved ones.

Pauline was born in Lowell, MA, to the late Adelard Joseph and Blanche (Belliveau) Bellemare. Raised in Lowell's Little Canada neighborhood, Pauline grew up cherishing her French-Canadian heritage where French was her first language. She attended St. Louis School and was an active member of St. Louis Parish. Pauline was a kind and selfless person, always putting her family first. After retiring, she and Stanley moved to Pelham, NH, and later settled on Marco Island, FL.

Stanley was born in Hopewell, NJ, to the late Stanley W. Sutphen, Sr. and Cornelia Ann (Case) Sutphen. He was raised on a farm in Everittstown, NJ, and at 17, enlisted in the U.S. Navy, later transferring to the Army where he served with the 38th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. Stanley received several accolades for his service, including the Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze stars (participation in two campaigns), the Combat Infantry Badge (active ground combat service), the United Nations Service Medal (service in UN defense against North Korean aggression), the National Defense Service Medal (honorable service during wartime), and the ROK Presidential Unit Emblem (South Korean recognition for distinguished service). He later worked for Cox Fuel in Lowell, MA, and furthering his career in the heating industry, he worked for Exxon Mobil until his retirement.

Pauline and Stanley met in Lowell, MA and were married in November of 1955. Together, they raised their four children: Joanne Sutphen Soucy (Russell), Ronald Jay Sutphen (John Freudenberg), Cheryl Sutphen Avola (Charles), and Debra Jane Sutphen. Stanley and Pauline were blessed with six grandchildren: Scott Soucy (Sharon) and their daughter, Ava; Justin Soucy (Emily) and their daughter, Grace; Cody Labriola (Darielle) and their daughter, Millie; Jordyn Labriola Arket (Dan) and their fur babies, Tilly & Tucker; Nick Avola (Chelsea) and their children Alex & Emilia; and the late Alex Avola.

Pauline was predeceased by her siblings Marcel "Mike" Bellemare, Richard Bellemare, Henriette Bellemare, Therese Bellemare, Jacqueline "Jackie" (Bellemare) Wolfgang, Robert "Bob" Bellemare, Anita (Bellemare) Plamondon, and Aline (Bellemare) Drouin. She is survived by her sister, Evelyn Mercier, as well as many nieces, nephews, and their children. Stanley was predeceased by his siblings Richard Case Sutphen, Elmer Martin Sutphen, and Mary Esther Waters (Sutphen) Stillwell.

Pauline and Stanley shared an unbreakable love for each other and their family, creating a bond that will continue to inspire all who knew them. Their lives were defined by devotion to family and dedicated service to their country. They will be profoundly missed by those fortunate enough to have been part of their lives, but their legacy of love, strength, and compassion will live on through their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family.

A private service will be held for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations in their memory may be made to VFW Post 10722, 6 Main Street, Pelham, NH, 03076 or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.