MARY STEWART

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MARY STEWART Peacefully on Thursday, June 7, 2007, at Concordia Hospital, Mary Stewart passed away. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Duncan Hector Stewart, in July 1999. Mary was born August 21, 1920 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, daughter of Job Lea and Helen Chalmers Beveridge. The family started out in Churchbridge, Saskatchewan, and then moved to Wawanesa, Manitoba, where Mary's father and uncle opened a blacksmith shop. Mary had many happy memories of her childhood and early adult years in Wawanesa. It was here in 1942 that she met her husband Hector, who had moved to town to become the school principal. The two married in November 1942. They lived in Wawanesa until 1948 and then moved to Virden and later to Killarney as Hector continued in the education field. Mary worked briefly as a telephone operator while in Wawanesa and was often asked to step in to teach or help out at the schools in which Hector worked. In 1955, the family moved to Winnipeg, building a home in North Kildonan, in which Mary lived until her passing. Throughout her life, Mary pursued many hobbies and interests including dancing and ice skating in her younger years, bowling, knitting and crochet. She enjoyed music, especially playing piano and attending musical performances at Rainbow Stage and the symphony. She was an avid sports fan who attended many Jets games and loved to watch hockey, football and curling on TV. Mary was a life-long member of the United Church of Canada with over fifty years as a member of John Black Memorial United Church in Winnipeg. She served for many years with the United Church Women and in later years knit many mittens and scarves for Christmas hampers. She took great pleasure in her membership in the Rebekah Lodge, giving much time to their good works and enjoying the fellowship of the organization. Mary will be remembered not only as a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, but also as a generous neighbour and trusted friend to those who had the honour to know her. She will be missed by her son James Jim Lea Stewart and daughter-in-law Mary Ann (Paczynski) of Matlock; granddaughters, Keeley Stewart and husband Arthur Pearson of Winnipeg, and Darcy Stewart of Matlock; her sister Muriel Noton of Edmonton; her sister-in-law Isobel Stewart of Roblin; her nephews, nieces and many cousins; and her good neighbours, especially the Bedfords. The family sends special thanks to Dr. Doug Henry, the home care workers and visiting nurses who brought comfort to Mary's final years and to the staff at Concordia's emergency department and 3N for their care in her final days. Cremation has taken place. A service of remembrance will be held Wednesday, June 13 at 2:00 p.m. in John Black Memorial United Church, 898 Henderson Highway in Winnipeg. A private family interment will take place at a later date in Green Acres Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the John Black Foundation, c/o John Black Church, 898 Henderson Hwy, Winnipeg, MB. R2K 3T4, or to a charity of their choice. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, (204) 222-3241

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 11, 2007