Cheryl Stone Ilderton

Cheryl Stone Ilderton passed away on Saturday, March 14, following a brief and courageous battle with Bulbar ALS. She was taken from us far too soon. While we mourn her loss deeply, we choose to remember not the illness, but the remarkable life she lived.

Cheryl was known for her quiet strength, inner peace, natural style, grace, and genuine acceptance of everyone she met. She had a way of making people feel at ease, welcomed, and cared for. The loss to her family and friends is profound, but so too is the gratitude for the love and goodness she shared so freely.

Cheryl Elaine Stone was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1947 to Frank and Fredda Stone, the oldest of five children. Her father was a career Army officer who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, while her mother devoted herself to raising their family through years of moves and deployments. Cheryl’s childhood took her across the country and abroad, including time in Alaska and Heidelberg, Germany, where she graduated from Heidelberg High School.

She went on to attend Sacred Heart College in Belmont, North Carolina, where she earned her degree in primary education. It was there that she met her husband Pat, who attended Belmont Abbey College. They were married in 1971 and together, they began their life teaching on the Eastern Shore of Virginia before eventually settling on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina in 1974.

On Sullivan’s Island, Cheryl continued her work in education as a teacher at Christ Our King–Stella Maris School before becoming a full-time mom. She was a teacher by training, but more importantly, by nature. In every stage of her life, she guided, supported, and nurtured those around her.

Later, Cheryl became Vice President of Ilderton Contracting, LLC, where she worked alongside her husband and played a key role in the success of the family business.

Cheryl loved Sullivan’s Island and the close-knit community it offered. She cared deeply about the people and nature around her and the preservation of the place her family called home. She was an active member of Stella Maris Catholic Church, served as an officer of the Stella Maris Women’s Club, supported the Sullivan’s Island Park Foundation, and the local public school reading programs.

Above all else, Cheryl’s greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was her family. Raising four children was both the biggest responsibility she ever had and the thing that brought her life the most joy. She had a steady patience and an unconditional love for her children and grandchildren. Cheryl made each of her children feel understood, supported, and deeply loved. Whether she was comforting them through a difficult moment or celebrating their successes.

She is survived by her husband, Patrick Condon Ilderton; her children, Jonathan Luke Ilderton (Nicole), Sarah Mae Ilderton Barker (Mat), Patrick Adam Ilderton (Jordan), and David James Ilderton (Emily); and her six beloved grandchildren, who knew her as “Ollie”; Fleetwood, Marie, Eleanor, Oscar, Cecilia, and Hadley.

She is also survived by her four brothers, Frank James Stone III (Emily), Christopher Michael Stone, Fred Patrick Stone (Shirley), and Peter David Stone (Holly).

The family will receive visitors at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, on Sunday, March 22, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with a Rosary preceding at 4:45 PM. A funeral Mass will be held at Stella Maris Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, on Monday, March 23, at 10:00 AM, followed by interment at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate instead to the ALS Foundation.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, (843)884-3833.