Imogene Stoner Hyde

Imogene Stoner Hyde, age 98, passed peacefully with her children at her side, on February 16, 2024.
Imogene was born in Sebring, FL on January 4, 1926, to Avery and Elizabeth Stoner. She grew up and spent her school years on a small farm in Aurora, NY with her older sister, Helen Stoner Bowman (Vernon), older brother, Dale Stoner (Leona), and many loved nieces and nephews. After high school, she worked at the Auburn Battery Factory and then on to becoming an operator at the Ithaca Telephone Company. She and her girlfriends shared a third-floor apartment in Ithaca. She remembered when WWII was finally over sitting out on the front porch of her apartment house cheering our "boys" as they were walking down the street.
In 1947, she started to take her paychecks to Liberty Shoe Store where she met a handsome Naval veteran, Guy Joseph Costello. They were married on April 8, 1948, and they were married for 23 years. With Guy, they had two children, Penny Costello Tanneberger (Fred) and Guy James Costello; four grandchildren: Brad Tanneberger (Sara), Matthew Tanneberger (Matt), Leah Costello, Lily Costello Guth (Steven); and seven great-grandchildren. In 1976, she married Cameron Hyde. They enjoyed twelve wonderful years together until he died in 1988. With Cameron, she had two stepdaughters, Edith Hyde Potankar (Sham) and Nancy Hyde Seiman (Ed), and four step-grandchildren.
Imogene was always so proud of being a working woman. Whatever her job, she always dedicated herself to it. Throughout her working life, she was employed by Morse Chain, GLF (Agway) and Ithaca College from where she retired in 1993.
Imogene loved playing the piano, working in her gardens and yard, doing woodworking projects with Cameron and her grandchildren, and volunteering at The Service League and the United Methodist Church. She found a new love in watercolor painting classes at the Ithaca Senior Center. Many of her beautiful pieces hang in her children's homes. Imogene's most important work was the love, kindness, and support she gave so willingly to her family and many friends. To be loved by Imogene was one of life's greatest gifts. A friend of hers was a friend for life.
Imogene's faith was the cornerstone of her life. She kept Jesus close to her heart and felt His support and guidance through good times and bad. She always stayed positive, and thankful, and found good in others. She was such a positive role model for us all. Imogene's faith and life's values are best reflected in this piece of a 1978 note written to her newborn grandson, Matthew. " Hope you have a real good life, and that you will be happy with yourself and always find good in others. God made you strong and healthy – Always be thankful to God for your blessings and always ask Him for help when things go wrong." These words are words that all who loved her can live by. She will be dearly missed.
A sincere thank you to all the staff at Longview Senior Living in Ithaca, NY and Brookdale Assisted Living in Painted Post, NY. Our family is grateful to the wonderful loving staff at Penn Yan Manor Nursing Home, Penn Yan, NY. You made her last years happy and comfortable with the heartfelt care and friendship you gave to her. Thank you so much.
Family and friends will gather this summer to celebrate her life. Imogene's care was entrusted to Haughey Funeral Home, Inc., www.haugheyfuneralhome.com.