TICONDEROGA — Stephanie Sarah Pell Dechame, 88, of Ticonderoga, passed away on Monday, July 30, 2012, at the Fletcher Allen Health Care Center of Burlington, Vt.
Born Sept. 4, 1923, in Paris France, she was the daughter of Alice Moore Harding Pell (Allen) and Robert Thompson Pell, and the granddaughter of Stephen H.P. Pell and Sarah G.T. Pell, who reconstructed Fort Ticonderoga, and William P.G. Harding, first Governor and Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.
She attended the Couvent des Oiseaux in Paris, the Denny School in Switzerland, the Madeira-School in Va. and Barnard College in N.Y.
At age 19, she became an Infirmiere de la Liberation - a nurse in the medical corps formed by Dr. General Le Dantec - at the liberation of the French mainland, 1943 - 1945. One of her proudest moments was her christening of the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga in May, 1944.
In Feb. 1945, she wed, Roger R.P. Dechame of the French Navy. Stephanie and Roger came to live in Ticonderoga in 1947, at the invitation of her grandfather and this is where her heart always remained and where she hoped her family would remain. Her love of the town and her many friendships here gave her the greatest happiness. Stephanie was active in many facets of Ticonderoga, including her long tenure as a Trustee of Fort Ticonderoga and her 25 years as volunteer librarian at St. Mary's School.
She had a great love for animals, whose care and welfare she never tired of trying to ensure.
Stephanie's passing was a peaceful one, surrounded by loved ones.
She was pre-deceased by her husband, Roger R.P. Dechame in 1994. She was also pre-deceased by one brother, William Harding Pell.
Survivors include her three sons, Francis Pell Dechame and his wife Suzanne of Fair Haven, Vt., Stephen Pell Dechame of Somerville, Mass., and Robert Pell-dechame of Ticonderoga; four siblings, Comtesse Mary Elizabeth de Lyrot of Paris, France Anthony D.S.M. Pell of Weston, Mass., Frederick H.S. Allen of Wallingford, Vt., and Alexandra Pell Kuhel of New York City; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her dear friends, Vicki Smith and Pope Simmons.
Relatives and friends may call from 4 - 7 p.m. Friday, August 3, 2012, at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga.
A Mass of Christian burial will be con-celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Ticonderoga by the Rev. Kevin D. McEwan and the Rev. Alan D. Schnob.
The Rite of Committal will follow at the family plot of the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Ticonderoga.
Donations in Mrs. Dechame's memory may be made to the North Country SPCA, 23 Lake Shore Road, Westport, NY 12993.
