Mary “Candy” Ellen Stokes, 84, passed away peacefully with her husband, Carroll, and son Lance by her side on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the University of Vermont Medical Center.
Candy was born on March 26, 1942, at Mary Fletcher Hospital to Harold and Marguerite (Brown) Barrows. Candy grew up as the youngest child, showered by the attention of her family. At an early age she developed a love for ice-skating on the open flooded fields of North Williston. After attending schools in Williston, her family moved to Essex Junction, where she concluded her schooling.
Candy had an adventuresome spirit, always wanting to see what was around the corner, over the hill, and with a need to know it immediately. She grew from a shy child into a large group of friends who helped her develop her spirited, outgoing personality.
In 1960 she met and married her first husband, Fred Ladue, and began raising their three sons Frederick III (“Rick”), Lance and Jon-Brian.
Moving to Cambridge in 1967, she helped to establish a preschool kindergarten in the vacated science lab of the Cambridge high school. She supported the Cub Scouts program as one of the local den mothers. Candy was outgoing, participating in many activities as the Cambridge community grew. She supported her sons in all of their school activities, including band, choir and musicals, and encouraged them to play sports. During the boys’ earlier years, she took a position at Smugglers’ Notch ski area to further their interest in skiing.
After her divorce, she married Carroll Stokes on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Neddick, Maine. Their summers were filled with travels to Wyoming, Maine, Colorado and to country music concerts.
For many years she managed the children’s department at Arthur’s Department Store in Morrisville.
Candy leaves behind her husband, Carroll Stokes of Cambridge; her sons Frederick Clark Ladue III (Ruth-Ann) of Utah and Lance Ladue (John Sama) of Essex; stepsons, Gregory (Stacey) Stokes of Jeffersonville and Duane (Angie) Stokes of Ohio; brother-in-law, Leon (Colleen) Stokes of Huntington; sisters-in-law, Ann Ladue of Florida and Helen Golaovich of Burlington; granddaughters, Tayler (Korbyn) Gallegos of Utah and Emily Ladue of New Mexico; step-granddaughter Chelsea Meyer (Stevem); grandsons, Frederick Clark Ladue IV of Utah and Joshua Ladue of Utah; step-granddaughters Erin Vaillancourt of Jeffersonville and Zoe of Ohio; step-grandsons, Bradley and Sawyer of Ohio; great-granddaughter, Sofia Gallegos of Utah; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Candy was predeceased by her son Jon-Brian Ladue; parents, Harold and Marguerite Barrows; sister, Lucy Mae Barrows; brother, Jud (Trudy) Barrows; ex-brother-in-law, William Ladue; and ex-in-laws, Fred and Helen Ladue.
Visiting hours will be on July 17, 2026, between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m., at the A.W. Rich Funeral Home, 1176 Main St., Fairfax, VT.
Inurnment will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions in Candy’s memory may be made to clarina.org. The family invites you to share memories and condolences online at awrfh.com.
This article appears in The Cartoon Issue • 2026.