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HOUSTON, Texas -- Eleanor Joanne Stoddard Finta, lovingly known as Ellie, peacefully departed this world on Friday, July 10, 2026, in the comforting presence of her cherished family.
Born on March 23, 1939, in Warren, Ellie was the beloved daughter of Ward and Frances Hefner Stoddard. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Walter Stoddard.
She was an alumna of Howland High School, class of 1957. Ellie pursued her passion for education at Kent State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.
Her love for learning and teaching led her to a career at Fairhaven Workshop in Warren.
In 1958, Ellie married the love of her life, Thomas Finta. Together, they shared 68 wonderful years, filled with love and sailing adventures in Ohio and North Carolina.
As a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her nurturing and compassionate nature made her a beloved figure to her two children, John Finta (Sally Totenbier) and Susan Finta (Rick) Fears; sister, Kay (Earl) Kerr; sister-in-law, Betty Stoddard; grandchildren, Jason Goss (Kevin Cappa), Connor (Alexandra) Confer-Goss, Scott (Madison) Fears and Rachel Fears (Mark) Gerber; and great grandchildren Jack, Emma and Eleanor Gerber.
Ellie and Tom were active members of Christ Episcopal Church in Warren and St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oriental, North Carolina.
Ellie and Tom were also long-term members of the Pymatuning Yacht Club (PYC) and the Sailing Club of Oriental (SCOO).
In honoring Ellie's life, a private "Celebration of Life" service will take place in Houston, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests cards and/or donations be made in Ellie's memory to St. Thomas Episcopal Church (P.O. Box 641, Oriental, NC 28571 c/o Ellie Finta/Endowment, EIN 56-1315968).
Ellie Finta will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched and loved, as she guides us still from Heaven above.
(special notice)