Candace A. Cone

Candace Alona Cone, 55, of Charlottesville, VA, previously of Chardon OH, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2024.

Candace was born in Painesville, OH, the only child of Clifford and Alona Cone. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a B.A. in French, she earned an M.A. in French at the University of Virginia, where she distinguished herself as a scholar and a teacher, winning an All-University teaching award in 1995. She also taught English for a year at the Lycée Descartes in Antony, outside Paris.

No matter the subject, Candace was a master teacher, devoted to her students and dedicated to inspiring the joy of learning. She taught French at Tandem Friends School in Charlottesville for thirteen years, before joining the faculty at Western Albemarle High School in 2015, where she served as co-chair of the World Languages department. An AP grader for nine years, she made conference presentations on language teaching, led student trips to France and Quebec, and sponsored the French Club at WAHS. A Fulbright scholarship took her to Morocco in 2022. Above these distinctions, she was a teacher who cherished her students and colleagues. Her students and colleagues cherished her back. Candace gave her whole life to educating, guiding, and serving others.

At her core, Candace was a humble woman of deep and abiding faith. Despite life’s challenges, she maintained an unwavering testimony of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved unconditionally and embraced all, holding a special place in her heart for those who were downtrodden and heavy-laden. As a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Candace served with grace and magnified her callings. She dedicated much of her time to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with children in primary, youth in early morning seminary, and adults in Sunday school. During her service as Relief Society president, Candace exemplified Christlike leadership, ministering with love and compassion to the women and families in her care. In every church calling she held, Candace diligently and thoughtfully shared her love, light, and passion with all those within her stewardship. She was a shining example of discipleship, inspiring all with her characteristic joy, humility, dedication, and intelligence.

Candace had a sparkling wit. She loved words and was an achingly eloquent writer. She also loved books, kitchen gadgets, road trips, autumn, crafting, the songs of Bob Dylan and Elvis, the Cleveland Browns and Guardians, Paris, the poems of Mary Oliver, the existentialist writings of Camus, and long talks with friends. She loved God, her church, her schools, her students, her cats, and her friends. She adored her family and was an especially devoted daughter.

Candace was predeceased by her dear father Clifford Cone Jr., aunts Connie Cone Errington and Sally Madden Howes, and step-father Frank Warner. She is survived by her beloved mother, Alona, uncle Doran and aunt Pat Cone, uncle Carlynn and aunt Velma Cone, cousins LaShawna Mackura, Missy LaCava, Robert Cone, and step-sister Amanda Warner, loveable cat Felix, and friends too numerous to name.

Thanks to an incredible support network of loved ones, Candace was able to remain at home for all but her final days. Family and friends would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff at the Charlottesville Center for Acute Hospice Care and the Hospice of the Piedmont for their kindness and loving care of Candace.

A private interment will be held in Rock Creek, Ohio. A memorial service celebrating her life will take place on January 11, 2025, at 11 o’clock at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1275 Timberwood Blvd, Charlottesville, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA or to cancer research centers such as the UVA Cancer Center or the American Cancer Society. Services entrusted to the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes of Madison, Chardon, Painesville & Fairport Harbor. Obituary, online condolences and memorial gifts available at www.marcfburrfuneralhome.com .