STEWART, Beverly April – at the Belleville General Hospital on Saturday January 22nd, 2022 – age 65 years. Bev battled a multitude of health conditions for decades. These, and COVID 19 pneumonia delivered the final blow.
Bev was the daughter of the late Bruce and Joyce (nee Coon) Renton. She is deeply mourned by her brother Steve Renton (Chyhav “Dar” Lor) of Winnipeg, her husband Bruce Stewart of Brighton, her daughter Laura Stewart (Meaghan Ross) of Hamilton and son John Stewart (Jillian) of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia. She is sadly missed by her numerous nieces and nephews, the Stewart family, her friends, the Carman community of which she was a proud resident, and most especially by her loyal cat Zoose.
Bev was born and raised in the Riverside Park (Mooney’s Bay) area of Ottawa. In her early years, she spent her summers south of Perth, Ontario at the family cottage (which she claimed to have “helped” her father build) at Black Lake. These were extremely happy times for her. Bev attended Rideau Park United Church as a youth – where she took part in Sunday School and Youth Group activities, even once bussing to western Canada in the mid 1970s – a trip she enjoyed very much. That trip was led by Rev. Jamie Gose, who officiated at Bev and Bruce’s wedding at Rideau Park years later. After graduating from her high school Vocational Art program, Bev enrolled in the Food and Fashion program at Kemptville College of Agricultural Technology (KCAT), where she met, fell in love with, and married a farm boy from the Brighton area. An opening on the Stewart family farm after the arrival of their first child, brought the trio from Western Ontario to Brighton where Bev, the city girl, enthusiastically became a farm wife and mother of two. They remained on the farm until selling it in 2015, when they built their retirement home.
The ease with which Bev embraced farm life was remarkable. It took her a very short time to adapt to the odd hours, the significance of the weather, the sounds and the smells. She loved the cows and calves and captured them well in her paintings – many of which now grace the walls of local homes. Living in the Victorian farmhouse were some of her happiest years.
Bev was very community minded and belonged to numerous organizations. While living in Western Ontario, Bev joined the Women’s Institute and was by far, their youngest member. After moving to the farm, she was an active member of the Carman United Church Women; taking part in, and often spearheading, many of their activities. Bev taught Sunday School, sat on many Church committees and sang in the choir. She also volunteered with Trenton Memorial Hospital and Bibles for Missions.
Bev also enjoyed spending time being creative and making art. Painting was a central expression of imagination for her – first using oils and then watercolours. Most recently, she was fascinated by leaves and stones and clouds. Where others saw a pile of rocks, Bev saw a sculpture waiting to be made. She even painted in the hospital, just days before she died.
Bev learned to sew from her mother, and while attending KCAT, but it was her mother-in-law and best friend Edna Stewart that encouraged her quilting skills. Bev and Edna designed, pieced, sewed and then with help from other women of Carman, made numerous quilts – sometimes custom orders, or as gifts, or for sale. Enough quilts to stage a showing of them!
In the 1990s, Bev upcycled denim (she was well ahead of her time with this craft), taking an old pair of jeans and making them into a pair of mittens, some earrings, two purses, and a water bottle carrier (and more!). Her mother used to joke that she used everything but the lint in the pockets. Bev gave her art to causes that needed it, and tabled at many events and festivals, including juried shows, to sell and show her works.
Her baking was another gift she gave to many, but most especially to her sweetie Bruce. Food was one of her “love languages” and she was very good at making people feel welcome and cared for. All were welcome at Bev’s table and nobody left hungry.
Any acknowledgement of Bev’s life has to include her health challenges. Most significantly, longtime back issues (including three surgeries) and two arthritic knees lead to years of chronic, excruciating pain, and the corresponding need for heavy medication. Most recently, she had surgery to remove melanoma and was receiving immunotherapy treatments.
Despite the ever present pain she was in, Bev was able to make the world sparkle – she saw extraordinary in the ordinary.
Bev’s wishes were to be cremated and she will be interred at Carman Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of the Brighton Funeral Home at 130 Main Street (613-475-2121). On-line condolences can be submitted at www.rushnellfamilyservices.com
A Celebration of Bev’s Life will be held at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, donations to Smithfield-Carman United Church or Belleville General Hospital Foundation are appreciated. Or in Bev’s honour, the family encourages you to purchase a piece of art from a local artist or to donate to a local animal rescue.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Beverly April Stewart Renton Saturday January 22nd 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Trenton, Province: Ontario