Alma M. Stam Was Tisbury Restaurateur

Alma M. Stam of Vineyard Haven and Needham died on Jan. 5 at the Newton Wellesley Alzheimer's Center in Wellesley after a short illness. Alma was born on the Vineyard and grew up in West Tisbury. She attended school on the Island through high school. Alma studied at the Briar cliff Manor School, in Briar Cliff, N.Y. for two years and then Boston University for two years.

During World War II Alma worked in Boston at the Charlestown Navy Yard as a clerk and at the Hotel Touraine for a period after the war. During this time she met her husband, Rudy, an officer in the Royal Dutch Merchant Marines. They married in 1946 and returned to the Island, living in Vineyard Haven. There they ran a bakery for several years and later opened Stam's Restaurant on the harbor. They moved to Boston in 1957 where she and Rudy lived on Beacon Hill for 45 years. While living in Boston, Alma was a housewife and volunteered at the Seamen's Friend Society for many years.

They converted the house that was Stam's Restaurant to a private residence and in retirement they split their time between the Island and Boston. She had most recently lived in Needham to be near her son and grandchildren.

Alma loved the Vineyard, and to tell stories about growing up in West Tisbury and Island history. Her father Charles Turner owned the S.M. Mayhew Company which late became Alley's General Store. Her mother Gertrude (Adams) Turner was an Island native whose father David Blake Adams was a whaling captain. Her sister was Elizabeth (Turner) Cronig, a long-term Island resident until her death.

The beloved wife of the late Rudolf Stam, she is survived by her son, Peter J. Stam of Needham, his wife Nancy, and grandsons Brian and Christopher.

A private family service will be held at the West Tisbury Cemetery, Saturday, Jan. 15. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 36 Cameron avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140.

Funeral arrangements were by the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland avenue in Needham.