ESTHER STEWART

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ESTHER STEWART (née KOWALSON) Our beloved Aunt Esther Stewart died at the Simkin Centre on December 25, 2014 at the age of 98. Esther was predeceased by her parents Max and Ada Kowalson, her husband Alistair McLeod Stewart, her sister Annie Kowalson, her sister Anna and brother-in-law Sam Lazareck, her brother Samuel Kowalson, her sister Bella and brother-in-law Louis Kobrinsky, her brother Morris Kowalson, and her niece Lois Greenberg. She is survived by her sister-in-law Molly (Samuel) Kowalson, nephews and nieces Mel (Karyn) Lazareck, Miriam Mandel, Jack (Zina) Lazareck, Arnold (Libby) Lazareck, Aaron (Margaret) Kowalson, Lela Kornberg (Amadeu Amaro), Ina Kobrinsky, Ava Kobrinsky (Mitch Podolak), and Nora Kobrinsky (Link Phillips), many great and great-great-nieces and nephews, and her devoted friends Paul Johnston and Dianne LaBelle. Esther's parents came to Winnipeg from Belarus. Esther was their youngest child, born in 1916 in Winnipeg's North End to a family actively involved in the Jewish community. Esther attended Talmud Torah Cheder, Aberdeen School, St. John's High School and the University of Manitoba. She was proficient in writing and speaking both Hebrew and Yiddish. She was a wonderful seamstress, and taught sewing lessons among other jobs. Later on she became the owner of The Sugared Mule Antique Store, which was a fixture on West Broadway for many years until she retired in the 1980s. Esther met Alistair McLeod Stewart through her interest in political life and they married in 1946. He was a founding member of the CCF party, which later became the NDP, and was a Member of Parliament 1945 to the late 1950s. They lived on McAdam Avenue and in Ottawa and also spent some summers at Lac Du Bonnet. In the late 1960s Esther and Alistair built a beautiful home overlooking the Red River in St. Norbert. Unfortunately Alistair died suddenly in 1970. Although her heart was broken, Esther faced this tragedy with dignity and grace. Looking out over the unspoiled river vista provided her with peace and she enjoyed seeing deer on the river in winter, geese, ducks, songbirds, an occasional fox and other wildlife. Esther was a lifelong cat lover. Her beloved cat Papoose travelled to Ottawa with her and even sat in the visitor's gallery of Parliament. Esther was a beautiful woman with an eye for fashion and a great sense of style. She made most of her wardrobe, including the sophisticated clothes needed to entertain as the wife of a parliamentarian. She also knitted, embroidered, and made baby outfits for many of her nieces and nephews. Esther appreciated fine things and knew a lot about them. This served her well in the antique business. Esther inherited her mother's green thumb and had many houseplants and an extensive garden. Esther moved to the Kanee Centre of the Sharon Home in 2006. When the Kanee Centre closed Esther moved to the Simkin Centre. She was content there. She was well cared for and the activities provided her with stimulation and enjoyment. Esther was well loved by staff and residents alike. We are grateful to all the nurses, aides, recreation staff and spiritual care staff who were involved with Esther over the years. Esther also benefited from the care of her devoted companions. These wonderful women treated Esther with respect and provided TLC as if she were their own family member, with humour and love. We thank them sincerely. We would also like to express our appreciation to Dr. Koven for his compassionate care. Esther was a generous, gracious, refined and loving woman. She was genuinely interested in her nieces' and nephews' lives, and family meant a great deal to her. She lived a rich and full life, with many challenges and many joys. She was much loved and will be much missed. Funeral services were held December 28, 2014 at the Chesed Shel Emes. Interment followed at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Bill Weissmann, Shammes, officiated. Pallbearers were Jack Lazareck. Link Phillips, Michael Kowalson, Josh Kowalson, Dan Kowalson, and Leonard Podolak. Honorary pallbearers were Mel Lazareck and Aaron Kowalson. If friends so wish, donations in Esther's memory may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society.
Publish Date: Jan 10, 2015

ESTHER STEWART (nee KOWALSON) We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved Auntie Esther Stewart on December 25, 2014 at the Simkin Centre. Funeral service will be held Sunday, December 28 at 1:00 p.m. at the Chesed Shel Emes Chapel, 1023 Main Street, with interment to follow at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Longer obituary to follow.
Publish Date: Dec 27, 2014

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 10, 2015