Amelia Stearns Archibald

Amelia Stearns Archibald, 94, of Plymouth, NH died Monday, August 5, 2024. She was born October 12, 1929 to John and Amelia Stearns and spent her childhood in Wellesley Hills, MA. Amelia graduated from Vassar College, where she most enjoyed courses in geology. On June 23, 1951 she married R. Gordon Archibald. They spent 73 years together raising 4 children, and enjoying their 11 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren. 

While raising her children, Amelia was active in civic leadership through the Wellesley Garden Club, the Wellesley Conservation Council, and as a Town Meeting Member.

Amelia was also an avid outdoorswoman. She loved mountain climbing, “bagging” all the White Mountain 4,000 footers in summer (and many in winter), often with her “Tuesday Group” hiking companions. Other interests included family camping, backpacking on the AT, white-water canoeing and canoe-camping (including in Labrador), downhill and cross-country skiing, and jumping in ocean waves with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling and reading.

Amelia pursued her faith throughout her life by involvements at church, taking biblical courses at Wellesley College and personal bible study. She served as a trustee for Andover-Newton Seminary, where she worked for the Center for the Ministry of the Laity. She and Gordon helped establish the New Covenant Congregational Church in Hampton, NH during their 24 years there.

In their later years, Amelia and Gordon designed and built a house in rural Plymouth, NH, adding on to a small cabin that had been her beloved forest “get-away.” Amelia enjoyed her final 16 years there, looking out at her favorite view of Stinson Mtn, which she climbed most recently at age 86 (picture above).

Amelia is survived by her husband, Gordon, children Robert (Maureen Madar), Sara (Rob Lund), Margot, and Ellen (Steve Jackson), her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Betty Ferris, Margaret Stearns and John Stearns, and son-in-law Tim Shea. 

A celebration of life service will be held on October 12, 2024 (which would have been her 95th birthday) at the Plymouth Congregational Church, 4 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH. Visitation will begin at 11 until the noon service. Lunch will follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome memorial donations to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (forestsociety.org).