Mary Ann Stewart

Mary Ann Stewart born December 21, 1931 in Glendale, West Virginia to French and Mary Elizabeth Steele. She stayed in West Virginia until she was a senior in high school, and left many cousins, aunts and uncles and friends that she kept in touch with regularly, to move with her parents to Chandler, Arizona in 1949. She began her studies at the University of Arizona, and after a year, moved her studies to Arizona State University where she met the love of her life, John Knox Stewart. They married on April 7, 1954, one month before they both graduated from Arizona State University. Her degree was a Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics. Shortly after graduation, they began their adventure of life together; her's as an officer's Army wife. During John's career, they made 26 moves in 23 years! Her constant words that she lived by were, "you can be happy wherever you are, and a place is what you make it." During those years, they had three daughters, Cheri, Lori and Paula. She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandmother and great-grandmother that continued to teach all of us by example. She was involved in many volunteer organizations, as well as initiating groups. Some of those were, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, Red Cross Volunteer, VA Clinic Volunteer, Daughter's of the American Revolution Stoddert-Del Norte Chapter, Gold Star Wives of America El Paso Del Norte Chapter, Society of Military Widows Desert Sun Chapter 30, and the Retired Officers Wives Club. She always had a smile on her face, and greeted everyone with a warm hospitality. Our friends, her grandchildren's friends, all wanted them to be her mom and grandma, we wanted no other. She had the opportunity to touch lives around the world, and her graciousness left warmth in many hearts. They retired after a tour at Ft. Bliss, Texas in 1978, and made their home in El Paso, where she continued to be involved in the military community. She moved to Las Cruces one year ago, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's) Disease in December 2009. She faced that stage in her life with an amazing courage, an ever-present smile, which continued to teach all of us by example of how to live by faith. Her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ never waivered, and we know that HE filled her with peace, courage and strength to face ALS. She graduated peacefully to Glory on Saturday night, with her three daughters at her side, along with many family members holding her hands. She was preceded in death by her parents, French and Mary Elizabeth Steele, her brother French Steele at age 13 from leukemia, the love of her life, John Knox Stewart, who died from an Agent Orange related illness in 1995. She is survived and will be missed greatly by those that remain here, daughters, Cheri (Gene) Love, Lori (Victor) Sustaita, Paula (Glenn) Cook, grandchildren Alana (Brent) Lambert, James Love, Brian Love, Trevor Love, Palmer (fianc