Ethel Stoneman

Ethel Lee (Mahaffey) Stoneman, 88 years old, of New Albany, Ohio, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2025. Born to the late Dewey Talmage Mahaffey and Ella Brooke (Long) Mahaffey in Premier, WV, Ethel was also preceded in death by her husband William G. Stoneman and her siblings Dewey Talmage, Alice Pearl, James Edwin, John Dent, Ella Sue, and Robert Clarence.

Ethel was born in the company-owned coal mining town of Premier, W.V. on October 21, 1936. After graduating from Welch High School, she attended Morris Harvey College from 1954-1960. She majored in education, and was also a cheerleader and in the drama club, appearing on TV in one production. After graduation, she returned to her hometown and taught school, until moving to Columbus, Ohio, where she taught at Parsons Elementary School. After marrying William Stoneman, they moved to Naples, Florida, where Ethel taught first graders for many more years until retirement. Over the years Ethel played the piano for churches she attended, as well as accompanied her first graders with much happy singing in class.

Ethel was also an artist and loved watercolor painting. She was known for the holiday cards she painted for family and friends. Ethel was an animal lover and she saved and adopted many stray dogs and cats over the years. Ethel was an angel to all who knew her, and for those lucky enough to get to know her, whether for a week or decades, she was the most loving and selfless person they probably encountered.

Ethel moved to New Albany, Ohio, in 2022 to be near family, and from May 2024, until her death, she was beautifully attended to by the staff at Smiths Mill Health Campus. A friendly and cheerful resident, Ethel was treated by the staff with great affection and devotion. The family would also like to thank Zusman Community Hospice for their kind and respectful care.

Ethel loved her relatives most of all, sharing her love and resources with them. Ethel is survived by two sisters, Judy Mahaffey and Nancy Ryzenman. Ethel's multitude of nieces and nephews include Madeline Ganoe, Joella Wilson, Andrew Stanco, James Mahaffey Jr., Michael, Ann Beth, John, Tom, Bill, Morgan Mahaffey and Megan. Roxanne, Kay, and Angela; Nancy Lee; John and Laura Ryzenman and their children Leah, Jack, and Anna; Adam Ryzenman and his family, Missy, Wesley, Miranda, Hannah, Tadge and Lynn; Carlos and Samantha Avendano. Ethel is also survived by her brother-in-law Saul Ryzenman, her sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Mahaffey, and her children Morgan and Megan, and Sarah Scuri and her daughters Kathie and Maggie, as well as stepson William Loumis Stoneman, and his family Laura, Lily and William.

The family will hold a private burial. A memorial service celebrating Ethel’s life will take place in late May. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) or Zusman Community Hospice (https://www.whv.org/donate/)