Carol Stearns Wells Bock

1940 - 2025

Carol Stearns Wells Bock, 84, passed away due to lung cancer May 20,2025, at her home in Orange, California, with her husband at her side.

Born on June 17, 1940, in Springfield, Vermont, to Keith and Ruth (Houghton) Stearns. Carol was a graduate of Springfield High School, class of 1958.

She and John Wells married in 1961, had a son, David and lived a short time in Germany where John was stationed with the Army. They divorced in 1974. She had a two-year marriage to Marshall Hatt and was single for many years before marrying Frederick Bock in 1999.

Over the years, she built a diverse and fulfilling career. Early on, she worked for Bob Blackman, head football coach at Dartmouth College. She later contributed to the craftsmanship of Walt Meyers Teddy Bears at Mary Meyer Stuffed Toys in Townshend, Vermont. Carol was a secretary at Chester Elementary School and then dedicated many years as a secretary and assistant to surgeon Dr Fabricant. She spent several years as a  recorder and secretary in the Judicial Branch and later in Family Court in White River. She concluded her working career as an office manager at Social Services in Springfield, retiring in 1999.

Carol had a deep passion for the manual arts and was exceptionally talented in knitting, needlepoint, quilting, and crocheting. She found great joy in creating baby blankets for friends and generously donated several hundred to The Ronald McDonald House in Orange. Her love for quilting led her to co-found with friends that they affectionately named "Group Therapy," reflecting both the camaraderie and creative spirit they shared.

She also enjoyed road trips in the United States having traveled back and forth across the country 4 times and once to Vancouver, British Columbia  between 2008 and 2018 visiting every state west of the Mississippi in the contiguous 48 plus 20 to its east. In 2009, she visited Alaska by air.

Family was central to Carol’s life. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Fred; her brother Bruce “Chip” Stearns (Lynn) of Springfield, Vermont; her son David Wells of Barre, Vermont; grandsons Corey and Craig Wells; stepson Douglas Bock (Christine) of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; stepdaughter Jennifer Bock Wheeling of Prescott Valley, Arizona; step-grandchildren Hannah Wheeling Kavak, Nicholas Wheeling, Ethan Bock, and Addison Bock; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. She also shared a special bond with her beloved Maltipoo, Ponce, whom she adopted as a one pound eight-week-old puppy in 2011.

Carol was predeceased by her parents, sister Gail Stearns Peay, and brother Glen Stearns.

At her request there will be no services. Interment will be in Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, California at a later date.

Carol’s creativity and generosity left a lasting impact on those who knew her. May her memory bring comfort to all who were fortunate enough to share in her life.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/santa-ana-ca/carol-wells-bock-12383940