Obituary
Incredible mother, sister, grandmother, wife, nurse, singer and guitar player, photographer, organizer, cook, travel agent, world-renowned cinnamon-bun baker, and chocolate maker.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of (Margaret) Lois Stewart (nee Stapleton) on September 16th, 2018 in New Westminster, BC, surrounded by her family. Born December 4th, 1934 in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, Lois was predeceased by her loving husband of over 60 years, Irwin. Mother to Rob (Kathy), Margaret (Trevor), and Jamie (Laurie). Grandmother to Nathan, Lauren, Nadine, Sarah, Ben, Fraser, Emma and Kate. Sister to Bud Stapleton of Black Diamond, Alta; and Anne Clarke of Mississauga, Ont.
Lois lived in many Saskatchewan communities growing up as her family moved regularly with her school-teacher father through the tough Depression and War years. The family moved to White Rock, B.C. (1949) where Lois graduated from Semiahmoo High School (1952) and from the Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing (RN, 1956). She met Irwin at a curling game between the Stewarts and the Stapletons on New Year’s Day in 1954, and the incredible team of “Lois and Irwin” was joined in marriage in September of 1956.
Mom and Dad were two prairie kids who wanted to experience the world and they chose first to advance Irwin’s medical training in both England (1957-1961) and New York (1961-1963), before they settled in New Westminster in 1963. Here Mom became an integral part of the community while raising her family – she organized sports club and school trips and fundraising ventures, organized and supported Rotary activities, hosted and counselled Rotary Exchange students, led family vacations, and more.
Their love of travel and their shared passion for contributing to others led Lois and Irwin to set up itinerant medical clinics in many locations in remote parts of B.C., the Yukon, and the world. They led teams of health professionals and other volunteers to Africa (Zimbabwe and Uganda in particular), Fiji, and Thailand but also explored and enjoyed Australia, China, the Philippines, Bali, India, Mexico and Pakistan, making lifelong friends everywhere they went. Rotary, an integral part of Mom and Dad’s life and volunteer efforts, supported many of their overseas medical projects and recognized Lois as a Paul Harris Fellow for her many contributions.
Amidst her many accomplishments, Lois was committed to her children and her eight grandchildren – creating magical times together; cheering them on in their many activities of lacrosse, hockey, basketball, dance, track and field and more; sharing some of her special places with them (Whistler, Sakinaw Lake and Wenatchee cherry orchard) and even taking them on trips to Disneyland, Africa, Australia and Fiji! Support from the family and her incredible care-giver, Karen Cavaleri, helped Mom in her later struggles with Alzheimer’s disease, as did the dedicated staff at the Kiwanis Care Centre.
A Celebration of Lois’s wonderful life will be held at Kearney Funeral Home Chapel, 219-6th Street, New Westminster on Saturday, September 29th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Rotary Foundation of Canada (PO Box 493, New Westminster, B.C., Canada V3L 4Y8) to support ongoing health care work in developing nations or the Alzheimer Society of B.C. (604-681-6530 or www.alzheimer.ca/en/bc).
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lois Stewart September 16 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique
