STEWART
Maryalice Stewart of Stettler passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at the age of 86 years. She was born June 10, 1923 at Waskatenau, Alberta, the sixth child of Alexander and Margaret MacDonald. Her happy childhood was spent playing on the family farm and attending local schools, Riverland and Waskatenau. She maintained a very strong relationship with her siblings throughout her life and childhood stories were often discussed and passed along to her children and grandchildren. After graduating from high school, she headed off to Normal School in Edmonton. Her first school was Many Creeks, a remote school in northwestern Alberta. From there she moved to Joussard School on Lesser Slave Lake and then for a change, headed south, teaching in Erskine, Behrens, and South Buffalo Schools before finally moving to the Stettler Elementary school in 1957. In 1981 she retired after 31 years of teaching. In 1945 she married Tom Stewart of Erskine, where son Doug and daughter Dawn were born in the next few years. They lived on several farms in the Erskine district before moving to Stettler in 1957. They later bought a farm south of Erskine which today is still farmed by son Doug and his family. After her husband's death in 1978, she continued on, reveling in her children, grandchildren, work and her many hobbies. She loved her flowers, shopping, and photography, anything to do with Christmas and enjoyed collecting pretty things like dolls, figurines, crystals and plates. Hours were spent on crafts of all sorts including sewing, knitting, quilting, macrame, beadwork, and needlework. Travel to such places as Montreal, the Maritimes, Europe, Disneyland, New Mexico, Victoria, Hawaii and a solo trip to Australia and New Zealand lead to many wonderful memories. However, nothing was as important as her children, grandchildren and their children. They provided her absolute joy as she lived their lives with them. In June of 2008, with great regret, she left her beloved house by the tennis courts to move to Willow Creek Lodge where she enjoyed the company of other residents and was extremely appreciative of the kind and caring staff. She felt she had lived a wonderful life and her family and friends are grateful to have had the opportunity to know this lovely lady and experience her independent spirit. Maryalice is survived by son Douglas (Yvonne) Stewart, and daughter Dawn (Keith) McKay, grandchildren Krista (Daryl) Gustavson, Kelly (Gerald) Howe, Kari (Ian) Faber, Wade (Meghan) Stewart, Ryan (Grace) McKay, Cristin McKay, great-grandchildren Lyndsey, Kelsey, Sean, Leigha, Mickey, Tom, Joel, Addison, Nolan and great-great grandchildren Meghan, Reid, and Kade. She is also survived by sisters Verla Swanson, Flora Stafford, Laura Babcock, Catherine MacDonald and brother Gerald (Jenny) MacDonald and sisters-in law Margaret (Morris) Dunn, Bernie (Hugh) Monroe, and Lola Stewart as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Tom, two infant grand-daughters and brothers Walter, Delmar, and Gordon MacDonald. Funeral mass was celebrated on Wednesday, September 9, at 1:30 p.m. at the Christ King Catholic Church with Father Arlan Parenteau officiating. Beautiful music was played by Joan Rushton and Debbie Simon to accompany soloist LeeAnne Kinderwater. Interment took place at Lakeview Cemetery in Stettler followed by a luncheon served at the Parish Hall by the Catholic Women's League. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Stettler Health Services Foundation.
STETTLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM
entrusted with the care and arrangements 403-742-3422.