Born in 1940, in what is now Greater Manchester, Stella grew up in Cardiff, South Wales. In 1966, she and her husband, Bill, emigrated to Canada for a move that was originally planned to be two years, but they have stayed since then and have spent many years in various places including Quebec, Toronto, Ottawa, Victoria, and now Halifax.

In Toronto, Stella began her career in public service as a secretary at the Ontario Institute for the Study of Education (OISE) where she developed an interest in politics and helped start the OISE Support Staff Association. Afterwards, the Lords made the move to Ottawa, and feeling inspired, Stella enrolled at Carleton University, earning a Bachelor of Political Science and then an MA in Sociology. In Victoria, she became President of the local Status of Women Action Group and worked closely with the University of Victoria Extension Division to combat various social issues.

In 1987, the Lords moved to Halifax and have made it their home. Stella began working in part-time faculty positions teaching Women’s Studies at Saint Mary’s University and worked on various community-based research projects with the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women in Nova Scotia (CRIAW-NS). She later became a Policy Research Specialist for the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and in 2009, she earned her PhD in Sociology from Carleton University.

Now retired, Stella volunteers as coordinator for the Community Society to End Poverty (CSEP), a provincial network of non-profit community-based agencies that assist or advocate for people who live in poverty, are food insecure, as well as those who have chronic health issues and disabilities. The group advocates at all levels of government on their behalf for the adoption of more just, effective, and holistic public policies to end poverty in Nova Scotia. They also assist in the development of various related organizations.

Coming back to faith over the past ten years or so, Stella is currently enrolled at AST, earning a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies in 2023 and is now pursuing an MA in Theology and Religion. Her time at AST has strengthened her faith and her understanding of the gospel—the good news—that work for the eradication of poverty is part of what God wills for the world. Indeed, looking over her essay topics for the dozen or so courses she’s already taken, by far the majority are about the issue of poverty. In particular, she describes her study of the Social Gospel movement in North America as a source of inspiration and encouragement in her mission, to help build a strong network of community-based agencies that will continue to advocate for the eradication of poverty long after she is gone. She credits much of her success to her husband, Bill, for his patience, support and for always challenging her to pursue her goals.