Mary Cecillia Stewart Obituary
Mary Cecilia Stewart passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, September 3, 2026 after a three month illness. She was just shy of her 93rd birthday, but amusingly for the past several months she proudly told everyone she was 93.
She was born on September 19th, 1933, in Kingston to Agnes and Jim McGarvey. She was the youngest of six children and is preceded in death by her parents, and five siblings: Catherine Nobes, Marjorie Webber, Fred McGarvey, Elaine Browning, and Bernice Thomson. We would expect nothing less than a great McGarvey party when they are all reunited.
She was predeceased by dear son Charlie (1964) and husband Frank (2000). She is survived by her children: Eva (Ken), David, Anne (Roger) Jamie (Lorna) (Sunday predeceased), and John (Barb).
Gramma to Sarah Finlay Degiacomo (Tanner), and Christopher Finlay; Dustin Stewart and Jonathan Stewart; Ben Stewart and Sean Stewart.
GG to Tyler Stewart, Jordon Stewart (predeceased) and Isabel Stewart; and Ainsley Stewart and Evander Stewart.
Mom received her elementary school education at St. Vincent's Academy and her high school education at Notre Dame Convent. Her decision to go into nursing led her and her lifelong friend Pat MacDonald Walsh to enroll at St. Mary's Hospital in Montreal. They loved their time in nursing school. In 1955 she met her future husband and they married on June 25th, 1955.
The kids came along at a rapid rate which meant her nursing skills were put to good use on the home front. But once the kids were more independent, she returned to nursing on a casual/part-time basis. Her passion was geriatric nursing, and she enjoyed caring for the patients at Fairmount Home. From time to time she would show up in roller blades which brought smiles to the faces of the patients and colleagues alike.
After Frank's passing in 2000 she joined her best friend Irma Mackenzie and a close group of travel buddies and together they traveled to Europe, the UK, and the Baltic States. In between times she rekindled her love of oil and acrylic painting. Her long-time friend and instructor Donna Lees mentored and encouraged her. Mom would be proud to tell you that many folks have a Cel Stewart original hanging in their home today. Many more have received her one-of-a-kind Christmas cards. Her final painting "St. Patrick's Church, Railton" hangs proudly in the church hall. Oh, and let's not forget her bridge groups. Until this Spring, she hosted one group and participated in another. She was the frequent winner of the Two Prize and she enjoyed those bragging rights, and the $2.00 windfall.
Cel enjoyed participating in many organizations as well. From her early days in the Harrowsmith Women's Institute to becoming a founding member of the Kingston chapter of Birthright, and Right to Life Kingston and District. As a chairwoman of their speaker's bureau, she spoke to many school and church groups. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Catholic Women League and helped launch St. Patrick's School in Harrowsmith.
Her children are grateful for the wonderful care Mom received during these last three months of declining health. The love and care she's received from her doctor and staff at the Verona Medical Clinic, the thoughtful care she received during her two weeks at KGH, the compassion and support extended to her through the OHH and her daily PSWs (who cared for Mom like she was their own grandmother), and lastly the amazing staff at Providence Care Hospice where we were all so thoughtfully supported.
Throughout it all were her amazing friends and neighbours who rallied around her and provided her with much support and love.
She greatly appreciated the tender support shown by her nieces and nephews as she navigated her illness.
A wake will be held at Trousdale's Funeral Home, Sydenham on Sunday, September 6th from 1 – 4 pm and 7 – 9 pm. The funeral will follow on Monday, September 7th at St. Patrick's Church, Railton at 1:00 pm. Interment to follow at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Keeley Road with a reception afterward at the Parish Centre (church hall), St. Patrick's.
The church hall was one of Mom's happy places. She and other parishioners looked forward to gathering after Sunday mass where they'd catch up on the latest news and gossip and enjoy coffee and cookies together. That is where the true community spirit of the parish grew and flourished. The parish has recognized the need to expand the current church hall. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the church hall expansion initiative "Gather & Grow" by contacting Denise Ford at 613-376-6695 or by email at [email protected] , or a charity of your choice.
