Terry Stone was born July 20, 1934, in Burlington, WA. He was the eldest of two sons born to Zerll “Stoney” and Fae Gee. Sadly, Terry left us on August 18, 2024, but in leaving us, he joined the love of his life, Merrillyn, who preceded him on August 5, 2021.
Terry and Merrillyn were co-joined in an amazing and beautiful way. They loved each other deeply; they were absolutely committed and devoted to the other. They were both raised in Seattle and graduated from Lincoln High School. Terry a dashing, handsome athlete; Merrillyn a beautiful SeaFair princess. We don’t know who swept whom “off the other’s feet,” but we do know their lives melded into a beautiful, 68+ year love story. 4 confident, strong, children; 16 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren. They left us a spectacular legacy of commitment, caring and devotion.
Terry and Merrillyn called North Seattle “homebase.” Kids at Broadview Elementary,Thompson Junior High and Ingraham High School. Terry worked for and ultimately owned Sterling Stations in downtown Seattle; later TruckTrailer Equipment in the South End and finally Three Rivers Petroleum in Forks, WA; he was a proud member of Seattle Golf Club and a diehard Husky, Cougar, and Seahawk fan. Black Labs, Jack Russell Terriers and Basset Hounds were fixtures in their homes. Merrillyn was a “giver” throughout the community, including Seattle Milk Fund, the PTA, and the Poncho Seattle Theater Auction. They were both long-time, supportive parishioners of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal church.
Whidbey Island and Maxwelton Beach came after the kids were gone…and their storybook continued on South Whidbey. Terry called Useless Bay Golf and Country Club home. He also enjoyed his time serving as an agent with Windermere Realty. Merrillyn was devoted to her beautiful glass shop, the Glass Knight, in Langley; she was deeply engaged in that artistic, caring community, whether it was Choochokam, the Langley Arts Festival, or the South Whidbey Fair. It was the beach, however, which formed their absolute bond of love. Walks with their dogs, the sand, the birds, the salmon, clams, and crabs; the agates, the waves, the trees; the tides the sunsets and yes…even the rain and wind…were all part of Terry and Merrillyn’s DNA.
Terry’s love of life and those around him was contagious. Travel all over the Northwest to horse shows, dance recitals, loads of youth golf, baseball and hockey; golfing with lifetime friends, fishing for the always elusive “big one” out front of their Maxwelton home, clamming and crabbing; skiing with family, bird-hunting; family trips to the Flying Cloud Ranch in Montana, visits to grandkids all over the US, as well as in Germany and Korea. He cherished family and friends and took every opportunity to be with them.
Merrillyn had an incredible, memorable sense of style and elegance; she also would probably qualify as an early “foodie” to anyone who knew her and had a chance to eat her delicious cooking. She was a gifted artist, whether glass, bronze, paint, pottery, jewelry, or other mediums, she cherished and celebrated art in all its forms. Her love of the beach was inspiring; she was a proud member of the Whidbey Island Beach Walkers, over a multi-year period walking the entire 230+ mile shoreline of Whidbey Island…searching for her beloved agates every step of the way. She also was immensely proud of her military family, with children and grandchildren in the Army, Navy, and Air National Guard; she never failed to have her full regalia of red, white and blue, especially in support of the Maxwelton Beach 4 th of July Parade, one of the biggest highlights of the year for the whole Stone family. She and Terry were Grand Marshals of the 2013 parade, and neverfailed to dress children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren in various “Stone” outfits, including “SplintStones”, and “Rolling Stones.”
Terry and Merrillyn left indelible marks on their family and many dear friends. Beautiful thoughts, cherished memories.They blessed us with their presence; all who knew them were lucky to have them in theirlives.Theirs was an amazing legacy of love.
The Stone family plans to privately celebrate Terry’s life during the summer of 2025; he will join Merrillyn in Bayview Cemetery. For further information on the lives of this amazing couple, please go to www.whidbeymemorial.com, where you can share memories and condolences.
