Angela Meryl Stone

Known to family and friends as “Angie,” she was born April 7, 1949, in Luton, England, to Leslie and Dorothy Ellen (Battrick) Wilding. Angie was an adventurous youngster who attended Challney Girls School for eight years and became a popular hairstylist at age 17. At 19, she took an opportunity to spend a year living in Kuwait with her older brother John. She returned to Luton where she would meet Air Force Staff Sargent Norris Stone when he was on an outing in Luton with a few friends. Norris was instantly attracted to the quick-witted English beauty. Angie and Norris married on June 26, 1972, at the Chicksands Royal Air Force Base Chapel. A large English-Irish-American-GI- style celebration followed.

Angie, Norris, and son Paul set sail for Yakima upon his discharge on a snowy Halloween in 1973. After settling in, Angie found her calling as a caregiver and began her own in-home daycare. She loved rocking babies to sleep and through the years she became simply known as “Mom #2” to many children. Later, she became an in-home nanny to two boys, Wes and Mark Maples whom she truly considered her second set of children.

Angie had many interests. She was an avid pet-lover and gardener who always looked forward to spring and spending sunny days outside in the dirt. She was a member of the “Rolling Stones” and enjoyed performing with her family in local bowling leagues. She and special friend, Verona and their “chaperone” JD enjoyed monthly trips to the casino for a little laughter and R&R.

Angie lived to serve her husband and children. She was a rock to son Paul and had a sassy and sharp sense of humor with a “tell-it-like-it-is” attitude that continues to be perfected through her daughter Michelle. Despite their distance, Angie shared a very special bond with her sister Susie, whose wonderful English ways will continue to be very special to her American family. Near the end of her life, Angie devoted herself to caring for the elderly. She became family to those who had none and was a selfless, patient, non-judgmental friend to those who needed one.

She is survived by her husband, Norris, son Paul, and daughter Michelle; sister Susan Christ (husband Raymond, daughters Nicola and Alison); sisters-in-law Sheila Wilding (granddaughter Azra) and Liz (daughters Belinda, Amanda, and Catrina). Additional surviving loved ones include Norris’s immediate family: brother Nathan (wife Linda, sons Joel and Matt); Jerome (wife Bonnie, sons Greg and Michael); Dennis (wife Sandy, children Dennis and Stephanie); Paul (wife Rhonda, children Kate and Jacob); and Tom (wife Lisa, children Karli, Kyle, and Eric); and brother-in-law Bob Poznanski (sons Rob, Ryan, Brent, and Chad). Angie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers David and John, David’s daughter Melanie, father- and mother-in-law Norris and Blanche Stone, and sister-in-law Musette Poznanski.

Angie remained a very proud English citizen. It was her wish to be returned to England and placed with her brother John and Mum. Her family intends to return her to England to fulfill her request.

Viewing for Angie will be held Saturday, April 20, 11 am to 4 pm and a memorial will be held Sunday, April 21, at 2 pm, both at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, 1010 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima. A reception will follow at the former Holy Family Catholic Church school, 56th and Chestnut, Yakima.

Angie’s family wishes to thank the emergency responders, family members, neighbors, and friends who provided care and love this week.