Cynthia Ely

Cynthia Stone Ely passed away on December 30, 2025 in Oakland, California, surrounded by family. Her loved ones and many friends will remember and miss Cynthia's vivacity, curiosity, and sense of high style.
Cynthia was born in Cambridge, MA on June 28, 1931 to Professor Marshall H. Stone and Emmy P. Stone. Her father was a world traveler and professor of mathematics at Harvard University and other eminent institutions who received the National Medal of Science from the Reagan Administration. Cynthia's paternal grandfather, Harlan Fiske Stone, was named Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by President F.D. Roosevelt.
Cynthia received a B.A. in Fine Arts from Radcliffe College. She worked in Washington DC for three years at the CIA and married Foreign Service Officer M.E.C. Ely, eventually serving in Malaysia, Paris, Washington, DC, Algeria, Somalia, Canada, Paris for a second time, and Rome.
After divorce, Cynthia spent over 20 years serving as the Events Coordinator at the Smithsonian Institution's Wilson Center for International Scholars, organizing conferences, dinners, concerts and special events for visiting fellows, journalists, academics, and political leaders such as US presidents.
A Georgetown resident, Cynthia stayed plugged into DC cultural and political life and volunteered for a number of nonprofit organizations. She loved travel, cooking, music, and art, and her legendary parties were eagerly attended by friends of all ages. Although she moved to California in 2019 to be closer to family, Cynthia always loved and missed Washington.
Cynthia is survived by daughter Caroline of New York; daughter Lydia of San Francisco (Roderic); three grandchildren; a niece; and four nephews. Although she is gone now, her spirit and zest for life will live on. Private service.