Beatrice Louise (Links) Stokes

Beatrice (Bea) Louise (Links) Stokes, 96, of Hebron, passed peacefully Wednesday, July 21, 2021, with her family by her side. Born November 9, 1924 in New Haven; she was the daughter of the late Karl and Louise (Tufvander) Links. She moved to Hebron at the age of 9 months when her father inherited his farm in Gilead. She attended a one room school house at the end of West Street in Gilead until the 8th grade when she attended Windham High School graduating in 1942. From 1942 to 1944 Bea worked at the Connecticut Milk Producers Association on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.  On July 6, 1944, she went to work with the Red Cross following the Circus Fire in Hartford. From 1949 to 1955 Bea worked at American Fire Insurance Company in Hartford. In October 1955 Bea went to work in the Engineering Department at United Aircraft. While employed there, she received many promotions working her way up to private secretary in 1982 to Harry Grey, CEO of United Technologies Corporation (UTC). She retired from UTC on October 1, 1987, after a long and successful 32 year career there. She then moved to Farmington to work for Harry Grey Associates. She retired from there on January 15, 1992. In her spare time, Bea loved to sing and at different times sang in the choir at East Hampton Congregational Church, Marlborough. She was proud to be related to Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale. Bea loved her two boys and often stated, “You can say anything you want about me but don’t say anything bad about my boys.” She will be sadly missed but always remembered with love by her two sons, Bruce Wark and wife Beverly of Oklahoma, Glenn Wark and his wife Jeanie of Texas; her niece Cindy Links-Fagan and husband Patrick and their son, Ian of Connecticut; a sister-in-law Doris Links of Hebron; nephews Rodney Links and Douglas Links and wife Lori of Connecticut, niece Karen Strickland and husband Jack of New York; six grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and numerous other extended family and friends. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband Sidney “Stokie” Stokes in 2001 and her brother, Robert Links. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 10 AM directly at the Gilead Congregational Church, 672 Gilead St, Hebron, CT 06248, followed by burial in the Gilead Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the Gilead Congregational Church Music Fund, 672 Gilead St. Hebron, CT 06248.  For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com  

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