Anne Morrill Stoneman, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Pavilion Health Center at Brightmore in Charlotte, NC. She has finally been reunited with the love of her life, Wallace Anderson Stoneman, Sr., who was taken from her way too soon by cancer.
Anne was born in Newton, Massachusetts (near Boston), but spent most of her life in Hendersonville, NC, where she and Wally, Sr. were founding members of Trinity Presbyterian Church and active in the community.
In 1966, just a few years into their lives in Hendersonville, tragedy struck the family: Wally, Sr., only 33 years old, died of cancer, leaving Anne eight months pregnant with their fifth child – the other four children were all under the age of 10.
Circumstances that would have crushed the spirit of many made Anne even stronger. And while she faced this tragedy with typical New England stoicism (she didn’t want pity), she did not face it alone. With the support of her church, her family and neighbors who became “additional parents” to her children, she received help looking after her kids so she could go to work. Anne spent the next 30+ years working as a well-respected physical therapist in Hendersonville.
Through it all, Anne’s main focus in life was always her family.
Anne is pre-deceased by her parents, Radcliffe and Olive (Hunt) Morrill; her sister, Patricia Ramsay; and her husband, Wally Stoneman, Sr.
Anne is survived by her sister, Deborah-an Morrill and her husband Dave Griffiths of Sarasota, FL. She is also survived by her five children: David Stoneman and his wife Marcia, of Hendersonville, NC; Kim Tallent and her husband Brian, of Charlotte, NC; Doug Stoneman and his wife Corinne, of Huntersville, NC; Wendy Brew and her husband Jim, of Gallatin, TN; and Wally Stoneman, Jr., and his wife Janice, of Acworth, GA. Additionally, Anne leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
But she also leaves behind life lessons that have been indelibly printed in the hearts and minds of her family and those who knew her well…
…Like the firm belief that laughter could cure a great many pains, even if those pains were self-inflicted.
…That sacrificing for those you love isn’t really sacrifice...it’s just life.
…That feeling sorry for yourself is a complete waste of energy...especially when there is work to be done.
…That gathering around the dinner table is never optional; it’s imperative for building strong families.
…That always having what you need should be all you ever want.
…That it’s okay to embarrass yourself...just don’t ever embarrass your mother.
…And that doing what’s right is not a cause for celebration…it should just come naturally.
We will come together to celebrate Anne’s remarkable life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville, NC, with visitation following. She was a fan of laughter, so if you have any funny stories of her, please plan to share them with us. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anne’s name to the American Cancer Society.
McEwen Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
DONATIONS
American Cancer Society
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17