Remembering the life of Scott Stephens (2024)

Andover - Scott D. Stephens, age 57, of Andover, passed away peacefully at home Friday, August 11, 2023, with his family by his side.
Born in Somerville, Scott was the beloved son of Carrol E. (McKay) Stephens of Andover and the late Douglas Stephens.
Scott lived in Burlington and moved to Andover when he was six. He was active in youth hockey, little league, and scouts. Scott learned to play the drums, was active in school music programs, and eventually joined the marching band for Andover High School. In Scott's junior year, he was involved in a devastating car crash that left him in a coma for over nine months. Beating all odds, Scott eventually regained consciousness but was left permanently and severely disabled.
Scott moved to the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton, MA, a combination pediatric hospital and secondary school where he received continued care and rehabilitation for his injuries and completed his high school classes. It was here that Scott became interested in the growing field of technology and personal computers and earned his high school diploma in 1988.
Scott's interest in computers led him to create customized notepads that he would sell in various hospital gift shops. With the help of a job coach, Scott eventually helped run and expand a small stationery business, Stationery Designs, Etc., where he continued with custom-designed business cards, wedding invitations, holiday cards, and birthday invitations.
As Scott's parents planned for long-term housing for Scott, they learned that most brain injury survivors were institutionalized in state hospitals or nursing homes due to a lack of appropriate residential and care options. The Stephens wanted a better quality of life for their son and searched for a supportive living program that also offered the chance to learn life-long, self-help skills with the least restrictive environment with the most opportunity for independent living. When they didn't find any, the Stephens began their journey to develop appropriate supportive housing for Scott and other brain injury survivors in the greater Boston area. In 1991, under the inspiration and dream of a better life for their son, Supportive Living, Inc. was founded.
Scott will fondly be remembered for how he "lived in the moment," his love of cribbage, his wonderful sense of humor and big infectious smile. Scott was a Boston sports fan and especially loved watching the Red Sox with his mother and attending the annual "boy's night out at the Bruins Game" with his two brothers-in-law and nephew. He will be greatly missed by all.
In addition to his mother, Scott is survived by his sisters, Susan Guzmàn and her husband, Roger of Bolton, and Sheryl DeMaine, and her husband, William of Andover. He was the loving uncle of Caitlyn Rivas, Ryan Shaughnessy, Connor Shaughnessy, Abigail Crouse, Ashley DeMaine, and Lauren DeMaine. He was the loving great-uncle of Avery, Parker, and Eli Rivas, Ayden and Ayla Mae Crouse, Graham Shaughnessy, and Mackenzie Shaughnessy. Scott is further survived by many loving extended family members.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting hours at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Sunday, August 20, from 12 to 3 and 5 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at the Chapel at West Parish, located in West Parish Garden Cemetery, 210 Lowell Street., Andover, Monday, August 21, at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with burial in the family lot at West Parish Garden Cemetery, Andover. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Scott's memory to Supportive Living Inc., 400 West Cummings Park, Suite 6100, Woburn, MA 01801.

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Published on August 17, 2023