Louise Claire Stedman

Louise Claire (DeMichele) Stedman, age 87, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Ellis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Norwood, Massachusetts peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Born in Walpole, Massachusetts on January 21, 1938, she was the daughter of Peter A. and Yolanda (DiTomaso) DeMichele. Louise was raised in Walpole, Massachusetts, where she attended the local public schools. A gifted and competitive three-season athlete, Louise played basketball, field hockey, and softball, and fondly embraced the nickname “Wheezy” given to her by her teammates.

After graduating from Walpole High School with the class of 1957, Louise took on a typist position at Factory Mutual. She left the workforce with the birth of her first child, becoming a dedicated homemaker so she could focus on raising her family. Louise and her family would move to Minnesota in 1969, where she met and fell in love with Robert W. Stedman. The pair were married in October of 1982, and shortly thereafter returned to Massachusetts, briefly landing in Mansfield before purchasing their dream home on Main Street in Louise's hometown of Walpole. Her children now grown, Louise decided to focus on her career, accepting a position with Shaw's in Norwood in their bakery department. Many of Louise's beautifully decorated cakes were enjoyed by countless generations in Norwood, and later Medfield, over the course of her 25 years with the company prior to her well-earned retirement in 2014.

Louise was a football fanatic at heart—stacking four TVs so that she could keep track of multiple games at once. She was a season ticket holder for the Patriots, making a beloved tradition of taking her sister Joan with her to the first game of the season every year. While in Minnesota, Louise fell in love with the Vikings, and continued to root for them even after moving back east. If you had a question about player stats, she was the woman to ask, being able to give you an accurate answer off the top of her head. Louise’s love for sports also extended to baseball and basketball, cheering on the Red Sox and Celtics whenever they played. Louise had many other passions in her life, including but not limited to Elvis, fine wine, limoncello, meatballs with raisins, traveling to Hawaii, and voting Democrat. But truly, these interests and her love of sports paled in comparison to her love for her family, as they were the most important part of Louise's life. She cherished the time she spent with her siblings and children, and later grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One thing that Louise loved to do with her family was dance. She always wanted to take lessons, and encouraged her daughters and granddaughters to do so, joyfully watching them grow, progress with their routines, and never missing a recital. She leaves her family with a multitude of beloved “Nonie-isms” that they will be able to remember fondly.

Beloved wife of the late Robert W. Stedman. 

Loving mother of Mary Lou Sergi of Wrentham, Linda J. Russell of Wrentham, and Tammy Ann Calderone of North Providence, Rhode Island.

Cherished grandmother of Garrett, A.J., Amanda, Alan, Taylor, Chanel, and Joseph; and proud great grandmother of Nevaeh, Nazario, and Marcelina.

Sister of Joan Weinkauf of Walpole, Rosemary Trettel of Milford, Patricia Garabrant of Pine Beach, New Jersey, Patrick DeMichele of Foxborough, the late Diana Robel, the late Edward DeMichele, and the late Peter DeMichele.

Also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Louise’s visitation on Thursday, January 15th, 2026, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

All are invited to gather in the funeral home on Friday, January 16th, 2026, at 9:00 am prior to Louise’s Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole, at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Louise’s name may be made to a Walpole High School Athletic Scholarship, helping to make the sports Louise loved more accessible to students in financial need. Checks should be made payable to the Town of Walpole, with “Athletic Department ℅ David St. Martin - Louise C. DeMichele” noted in the memo line. Alternatively, donations in Louise’s name may be made to the Walpole VFW Ladies Auxiliary, ℅ Gisette Wall, 7 Winthrop Street, Walpole, MA 02081.