WESTFIELD – Maria Theresia (Stahl) Chenier Batchelder, 92, of Westfield, died peacefully in her sleep at home with her family by her side on Sunday, June 23rd, 2024.
Maria Theresia Stahl was born at home in the town of Prussberg, Germany on November 29th, 1931. She was the daughter of Konrad and Katharina (Kraus) Stahl and was the second oldest of 8 girls. She was predeceased by her parents; a sister Paula Schneider formerly of Kitzingen, Germany; Beata Hess formerly of Hundelshausen, Germany; Margareta Nees formerly of Schollkrippen, Germany and infant brother Otto Stahl formerly of Prussberg, Germany, who died at 7 days old.
In 1952 she met her husband Leonard Chenier of Russell, MA, while he was stationed in Frankfurt Germany. They later were married in her hometown of Prussberg, Germany. She emigrated to the United States in 1953, settled in Westfield, MA and was a communicant of St. Mary’s and later of The Blessed Sacrament Church. She attended night school where she quickly learned to read and write the English language, and then attained her US Citizenship in 1958. She worked for many years as a waitress, which she loved, at the El Rancho and Davio’s restaurants in Westfield. She was a very hard-working lady who was well-liked and admired by everyone who knew her. She will be remembered for her vibrant personality, beautiful smile, and unconditional and unquestioning love of life.
In 1974, she was widowed and then remarried in 1986 to Emerson F. Batchelder, of Colrain, MA. In 1987 they both retired and moved to Sun City, AZ. They enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling and spending time together with their wonderful new friends at the Elks, The Moose, and The American Legion. In 2006, she again became widowed and continued to live in Arizona for many more years. She remained an avid golfer and bowler well into her 80’s. She moved back to Westfield in 2021, where she resided with her daughter Barbara Fedora and son-in-law Dan who were her primary caretakers. Maria loved being around her family and friends.
Maria is survived by her sisters, Anna Zitzelsberger of Augsberg, Germany; Ida Jackson of Greenville, IN; Emma Ziegler of Bad-Kissingen, Germany and Hildegard Nickl of Oberasbach, Germany. Maria is also survived by her two daughters, Sonja Chenier and Barbara Fedora, along with her husband Daniel Fedora, all of Westfield; two loving grandchildren, Lisa Lansing and her husband David of Huntington, MA, and Daniel Fedora, Jr. and his wife Erin Kenney of New Hartford, CT; and two loving great-grandchildren Shawn Lansing and Allister Fedora, whom she absolutely adored.
The family has requested a private burial at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, with a celebration of life to be announced at a later date.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff at Baystate Hospice for their compassion and guidance over the past 6 months. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Maria’s name to Baystate Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association. www.firtionadams.com
