WA - Stewart Emory Tolnay was born July 24, 1951 in Everett, WA, and died on October 24, 2025 in Seattle, WA. He was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in the summer of 2020 and was expected to live a year. His family and friends were happy to have the extra time even though he had multiple health problems. After his last painful health crisis, he chose to refuse additional treatment. He signed up for Death with Dignity, but the process took too long and he spent the rest of his life in hospice at Northwest Hospital with his wife by his side.

He was preceded in death by his father James George Tolnay; mother Vivian Corine Welch (nee Stewart); and stepfather Joseph Welch.

Stew was survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Patricia (Patty) Jane Glynn; Marilyn, Kjell Kevin, Brennen, Jill, Olivia and Leam Stoknes, and other beloved family members. He also leaves many dear friends, including former students.

Stew graduated from Everett High School in 1969. He went to Everett Junior College then finished his education with a PhD in Sociology at the University of Washington in 1980. Patty and Stew spent a year in Shiraz Iran (1976-1977) for a Fredericksen Overseas Population Internship. He and Patty moved to UGA at Athens GA where he was promoted to Associate Professor. In 1988, they moved to University at Albany where he stayed until 2000 when he was happy to be hired back at UW in Seattle.

Stew was a great scholar and published many academic papers and multiple books. He also published two books of fiction through Amazon that have received excellent reviews.

We want to thank Fred Hutch Cancer Center and UW hospitals and physicians for the care he received.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/donate/, to Friends of Sociology at the University of Washington in Stewart Tolnay's name or a charity of your choice. For additional information about Stew, see

https://soc.washington.edu/news/2025/10/31/memory-stewart-tolnay