Obituary of Elsa Pastoria Stone

Elsa Stone of Snake Hill Road passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, February 17, 2015. Born January 4, 1942, in Latacunga, Ecuador, she was the oldest of six children of Maria Amaya and Sergio Morales, and was the glue that held her brothers – Carlos, Galo, Angel and Fausto – and sister Marianna together as a family. In later years, she made it possible for all of them to bring their families to America, an achievement that was very special to her. Living in Ecuador, her work took her throughout South America visiting almost every country on the continent. In 1972, she moved permanently to the United States, working as an expert seamstress in Miami, where she met Bill Stone, her husband of 35 years. In 1981, they made West Virginia their home, and she worked for 30 years at West Virginia University as a housekeeper, making many friends among the students, faculty and staff. In 1984, she was very proud to become a U.S. citizen, taking the oath in Wheeling, W.Va. Endowed with a servant's heart, she did for others before herself. Hard work and sacrifice were her bywords, and how she showed her love for others. An excellent cook and gardener skilled in all the home arts, her gifts of food and hospitality were frequent and bountiful. She touched the lives of many people with her generosity and unselfishness; no one ever went without when she was there. A devoted Roman Catholic, she displayed great confidence in all her daily tasks and relationships that Jesus and his Blessed Mother were in control and watching over her family. It is impossible to remember her without thinking of her hugs, her smile and the infectious enthusiasm that bubbled over in her when she was with those she cared about. She is survived by her husband Bill; her dear daughter and closest friend Rocio Hernandez Poe and husband Allen of Cheat Lake; her beloved grandson Christopher (Salt Lake City, Utah); her brothers and sister in Texas and New Jersey; many nieces and nephews and their children; and the Stone family David (Morgantown), Bill (Morgantown), Donna (Pennsylvania) and grandchildren. Anyone Elsa met became her friend; anyone she loved she considered family, so those grieving her passing are too many to mention. In respect for her wishes for cremation and no public service, the family asks for contributions to Christian Help, 219 Walnut Street, Morgantown, WV 26505 to honor her memory. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.