Cecelia Rooney Stone, 83, of Hailey, Idaho, formerly of Bishop, Calif., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at Blaine Manor in Hailey. She was born May 7, 1926, in Gilmore, Idaho, to Daniel and Catherine Flood Rooney.
Cecelia was raised in Hailey but later settled in Bishop where she raised three boys, Jack, Robert and Thomas with her husband, Rockey Eugene Stone, whom she married on Aug. 5, 1953, in Colorado Springs, Colo. She relocated to her childhood home of Hailey after more than 55 years when her failing health dictated it. She devoted herself to caring for her Rockey when his health failed and also for her sister, Kate, during her final years.
Prior to her marriage to Rockey, Cecelia worked for AT&T as a telephone operator; she was one of the first operators in Hailey. She had a love for the outdoors, mountains and her church. Cecelia was a member of the Catholic Church, the VFW women's auxiliary and the Lions Club, and was an accomplished rummy player.
Cecelia always put others ahead of herself and was always there for you. She didn't have a mean bone in her body. Her family and friends were always first.
Cecelia is survived by her son Jack E. (Linda) Stone of Tonopah, Nev., and their children, Anthony, Krystle, Nickolas and Michael; her son Robert D. Stone of Hailey, and his children, Dustin and Matt; and her daughter-in-law, Tammy Stone, of Tonopah, Nev., and her children, Thomas, Mary, Becky and Heather; her sister, Terry Howes of Hailey; and nine great-grandchildren, Kalan Stone, Charlotte Stone, Wyatt Stone, Keggan Stone, Rockey Stone Jr., Cody Cook, Destiny Cook, Trevor Stone and Kailinn Stone.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rockey Stone; her youngest son, Thomas Stone; a grandson, Rockey Stone; her sisters, Mary, Rose, Bridget, Susie, Ellen and Kathleen; and her brothers, Daniel, Johnny and Matt Rooney.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Hailey. Interment will be held in Bishop, Calif. Arrangements are under the care of Wood River Chapel, Hailey. A guest book is available at www.woodriverchapel.com.
