Ardyth Stone

November 19, 1930 - August 18, 2025

Ardyth Stone died at age 94 on Monday, August 18, 2025 at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida.

She was born in Dubuque, Iowa to Oliver Gregg Dodson and Margaret Haldane Dodson, a little more than a year into the Great Depression. The Dodsons soon moved to Florida to seek opportunity and join other family; Ardyth's three younger brothers were born there. The Dodson kids wandered the wild woods of the mostly-undeveloped area of Rattlesnake, now part of South Tampa.  Ardyth had a keen love of learning and a knack for writing and mathematics, taking long bus rides to school each day across the Causeway to pursue a good education.

She married the love of her life, Navy Seal Don Stone, in 1960 a few months after being introduced by mutual friends. During their courtship they commuted from Tampa and Key West to spend time together. Navy life relocated them several times, from the Keys to Norfolk (where son Donnie was born) to New Orleans and then San Diego (where daughter Susan was born). When Don retired from the service, the Stone family moved from California to Boca Raton, where they remained.

During her time in Virginia, Ardyth worked for the NCR company and became an early computer programmer — in the days of punch cards. She retained this interest over the years, and returned to programming in the 1980s at Paragon Software following a short stint working in real estate. Her passions included photo editing, poetry, sewing, listening to classical music, and working on websites and newsletters. Ever a lover of technology, Ardyth made medical history at the end of her life by receiving a ground-breaking heart procedure.

Ardyth loved to travel and make friends across the globe. She and Don were often on the road enjoying a broad range of adventures, from RV camping in Alaska, to Antarctica cruising, to toasting Oktoberfest in Munich. They also hosted international students and travelers in their home for many years.Both relished spending time in nature, be it on land, at sea, or home with their beloved cats. The pair could often be found boating around Boca and birdwatching at Wakodahatchee Wetlands.

Ardyth has been an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Boca starting in the mid-1970s, shepherding the community's Circle of 8 group for decades, and serving in several women's fellowship groups.

Ardyth is survived by her daughter Susan, granddaughter Carlie, great-granddaughter Cierra, and brother David. She is predeceased by her husband Don, son Donnie, grandson Adam, and brothers Stewart and Arthur.

A service will be held to celebrate Ardyth's life at 1 p.m Wednesday August 27th at First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to YourClassical.org or your local public radio or television station.

Professional arrangements are entrusted to:
Gary Panoch Funeral Home
6140 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-997-8580
www.gpanochfunerals.com

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