Shirley Gregel Stokes

Shirley Gregel Stokes, 88, of Windsor Locks, beloved wife of the late John J. Stokes, Jr., passed away on March 11, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on May 21, 1937, in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Veronica (Shary) Gregel. A graduate of Mount St. Joseph Prep School in West Hartford, Shirley devoted her early years to raising her eight children. At the age of 52, she pursued her dream of higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in music from Central Connecticut State University.

Shortly after graduating, Shirley worked briefly as a music teacher at St. Rose School in East Hartford before dedicating more than four decades to Catholic church music ministry. She served as organist, music director, and choir director at numerous churches throughout the Hartford area, most recently retiring six years ago from St. Gertrude Church in Windsor. Her angelic singing voice and pastoral leadership touched countless lives. A member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, she traveled to Rome, where she met Pope John Paul II, as well as to Jerusalem and France.

Shirley found great joy in time spent with her children and grandchildren. She loved camping and RVing, especially her trips to Pine Bush, New York, and cherished quiet moments reading, writing poetry and stories, and deepening her knowledge of the saints and her Catholic faith.

She is survived by her eight children, Elaine Fedo and her husband Ronald of Manchester, Kevin Stokes of Windsor Locks, Mary Ann McCauliff and her husband Stephen of Enfield, Janice McCoy of Enfield, Richard Stokes of Windsor Locks, Carol Frost and her husband Benjamin of Suffield, John Stokes and his wife Angela of Suffield, and Christine Korytko and her husband Eddie of Springfield, Massachusetts; nine grandchildren, Sarah, Joseph, PJ, Matthew, Rachel, Brooke, Cara, JJ, and Camryn; four great-grandchildren, Emma, Van, Atlas, and Georgia Shirley; and her sister, Nancy Emmonds of Enfield.