ESME LEANORA STEWART

Condolences & Memories (5 entries)

• Esme was a member of St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, in Windsor Park. She served her church faithfully; was on the leadership council, The Vestry; and in the Ministry of the Envelope Secretary for many years. God has welcomed this tireless Educator into the Grace of His Eternal home. May her soul Rest in Peace, and May Light Perpetual shine upon her. AMEN - Posted by: June M. James (Friend) on: Dec 16, 2021

• Condolences to Clayton and Marcia and the rest of the family on the passing of Esme. May she rest in Peace - Posted by: Lucinda Gordon (Acquaintance) on: Dec 11, 2021

• I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the Stewart family. Mrs. Stewart was a grand dame of the Caribbean community in Winnipeg. She was fiercely proud of her culture and the young Trinidadian women she helped to shepherd into adulthood. The last time I saw her, she was laughing and dancing herself out of a Winnipeg Steel Orchestra concert. She told me had recently recovered from a back injury and was now enjoying herself. She was indomitable! Rest in peace Mrs Stewart. We’ll miss you. - Posted by: Ghislaine Alleyne (Friend ) on: Dec 11, 2021

• Dear hearts, friends and family of Esme Stewart and of Hugh! We may never meet, but you might be interested to know that, when Hugh first came to Canada, we were both living in a large rooming house owned by Frank and Aurora Rekrut at 254 Balmoral (or was it Spence Street?) when Hugh first came to Canada. He lived on the second floor and I lived one flight up, under the stars. My work with the Winnipeg Public Library Bookmobile Service meant that I was gone during the day and seldom came home before 10 or 11 pm. When Hugh told me that the effervescent 'Kancylarsky kids' on his floor were very entertaining, but distracting, I offered him a key to my apartment which he then used whenever he needed to concentrate on studies. That arrangement worked well for a year, but when Esme joined Hugh at U. of M, they decided to live in a proper apartment building. Regrettably that meant we saw less of each other as time went by...but Esme's dignity and determination, and the discipline to meet obstacles without flinching made an indelible impression on me. She was then, and always will be a very special lady. My decision to go to Trinidad to teach for 5 years meant that our tenuous connection was broken. When I returned to Canada in '67, life was busier than ever, raising a family. But no matter where I lived, I would eventually check the telephone directory to see if Hugh and Esme had fulfilled their dreams and 'made it' in big towns like Toronto or Montreal. My move to the west coast coincided with Hugh's death, almost to the day. It was a casual search of obituaries in Winnipeg, ten days ago, triggered by a memory of long ago, that initiated my internet search for Esme. Winston Madray, a friend from Trinidad, living in Winnipeg for decades, offered to check with people he knew who would have been likely compatriots and acquaintances of Hugh and Esme. And today came the sad news that Esme and I will not meet in Winnipeg again. Sad as that seems, I take solace from the fact that her spirit spurred me to reach out this past week. Coincidence? I hardly think so. We will surely meet again some sunny day. We will have a lot of catching up to do... My heart goes out to you, family and friends in these moments of grief. You were the lucky ones who got to spend a lifetime with Esme and with Hugh. They set a wonderful example for us all to follow, don't you agree? Evelyn Sawatzky - Posted by: Evelyn Sawatzky (Friend from Winnipeg days, 1962-3) on: Dec 11, 2021

• Clayton, our sympathies in the loss of your mother. We were neighbours on Keats. Your parents were the best neighbours we could have asked for. We were a young couple starting out and they were so helpful. Our common professions lead to many interesting discussions. Take care and use those wonderful memories you have to face the days ahead. Lorne and Susan - Posted by: Lorne and Susan Lisik (Neighbour from long ago) on: Dec 11, 2021