Stella M. Bovard, 79, of Charles Town, West Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Born on April 7, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the only child of James and Stella Langston.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jim Bovard; her children, Brian Bovard (Ludmilla Borges) of Bonita Springs, Florida, Kevin Bovard (Elizabeth Morgan) of Media, Pennsylvania, and Tiffany Bovard (Jonathan Paul) of Wallingford, Pennsylvania; and six grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Jill Ann Bovard, and infant son, James Andrew Bovard.

Stella grew up in a military family and spent a number of her formative years living in France and Japan. She graduated from James Madison University in 1969 and began her career as a high school business teacher in Northern Virginia. She later left teaching to raise her family, moving to Jefferson County, West Virginia, in 1970.

For decades, Stella was an active member of St. James Catholic Church, where she especially enjoyed teaching children's religious education classes. She spent many years as a 4-H club leader and garden club member and was a dedicated volunteer at school, church, and community events. In her later years, she enjoyed golfing, boating, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 10:00 A.M., at St. James Catholic Church, 49 Crosswinds Drive, Charles Town, WV, with Father Timothy Grassi as Celebrant, assisted by Deacon Dave Galvin.

Interment will be private.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 29, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, 256 Halltown Road, Harpers Ferry, WV.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to a cancer research organization of your choice.