Marian Cornwall Stone

SOUTHPORT — Marian Cornwall Stone, 97, died peacefully on June 27, 2026, at her longtime home, with family by her side.

Marian was born February 13, 1929, to Laurence M. and Marian Paige Cornwall, at the family home in Southport, Connecticut. She graduated from Miss Porter’s School in Farmington with the Class of 1947 and attended the School of Modern Photography in New York. In 1950, she married Timothy J. Stone, a native of Surrey, England, at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church.

For more than seven decades, Marian made her home in Southport, cultivating a verdant landscape alive with the wild birds she delighted in observing. A devoted naturalist and gardener, she was also an accomplished cook and adored the dogs who shared her life over the years.

Her love of nature extended well beyond her own land. Marian particularly enjoyed trips to Europe. She was an active member of the Connecticut Unit of the Herb Society of America for 25 years and the Garden Club of Fairfield for 30 years. She became a passionate advocate for preserving local land and open space, frequently writing letters to the editor.

Those who loved Marian remember the many ways she taught us simply by the way she lived. She shared her curiosity, convictions, knowledge, and deep appreciation for the world around her. An endearing sense of fun and humor characterized her view of life.

Marian is survived by her daughter, Natalie Stone Vernon (Ken), of Southport; her son, Timothy Stone (Lisa), of Black Rock; her grandsons, Adam Vernon and Alex Vernon (Mackenzie); and her nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind a wonderfully diverse circle of friends spanning generations.