STEPHENS, Nicholas “Nick” Meriwether

(1934-2022) Of Hopkinton, MA and formerly Portsmouth, RI, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 22, 2022, at the Milford Regional Medical Center, following a short illness.

He is the son of the late Louisa

Smith Barnard and Roosevelt Goethals Thayer, and was later adopted by Theophilus Stuart Stephens. He was also predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara Klayf Stephens; and leaves behind their loving daughters, Louisa Bissett (Ethan) and Elizabeth Cox (Bryan); and adoring grandchildren, Ella and Charles Cox, and Zachary Bissett. His later years included his cherished partner of 28 years, Phyllis Brooks. He is also survived by siblings, Maggie Mangold (Steve), Clare Flegg (Tony), Geoff Barnard (Sally), and Suzy Barnard (Michael Singsen); and his devoted black Labrador, Pierson. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Mary “Rammy” Alger Smith.

Born in Newport, RI, Nicholas attended boarding school at Northfield Mount Hermon and studied Geology at Brown University. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Braine during peacetime. Later, he worked as a Human Resources Manager at Filene’s Department Stores for forty years. He was passionate about his family, gardening, photography, the arts, volunteering, and the Boston Red Sox.

Family and friends are invited to Nicholas’ Memorial Service at St.

Peter’s Episcopal Church in Weston, MA, on what would have been his 89th birthday, January 7, 2023, at 10:30 AM. A private Burial will follow at the North Cemetery in Wayland, MA. For the full obituary or to leave an online tribute, visit Burke Funeral Homes’ website. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society or Greater Boston Food Bank.