Eleanor Stewart

Eleanor R. Stewart, age 97, of Owosso, MI passed away Thursday, August 26, 2010 at Sparrow Health Systems, Lansing, MI. She will be remembered always as a loving mother, grandmother, dear sister and aunt.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Johns United Church of Christ, Owosso, MI on Monday, August 30, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. Rev. John Downing will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery Owosso, MI. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 29, 2010 from 2-8 PM with family present 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Smith Family Funeral Homes Jennings-Lyons Chapel, Owosso.

Eleanor was born in Owosso, Michigan on March 17, 1913, the daughter of Michael H. and Margaret (Young) Rourke. Eleanor grew up on a small farm just north of Owosso with eight brothers and sisters. She attended Owosso Public Schools, Owosso Business Institute and Baker Business College in Flint. Eleanor and Perry R. Stewart were married in 1949 in Pomona, California. He predeceased her in 1978.

Eleanor was employed at Bendix Aviation Corporation in the cost accounting department from 1942 to 1946 and was assistant office manager at Arden Farms Dairy in Pomona California. After returning to Owosso, she owned and operated Eleanor Stewart Draperies for 28 years. She was a remarkable seamstress and quilter. She shared her love of quilting with many over the years and passed on this skill as often as she could.

Eleanor was a member of St. Johns United Church of Christ for 56 years where she served as Sunday School Teacher, Church Secretary, Chairman of the Women's Fellowship and Church Council. She also volunteered at Memorial Healthcare for 25 years, including being a buyer for the Gift Shop. Eleanor was past president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, past chairman of Shiawassee County Homemaker's Extension Council, and a delegate to the Extension International Organization- Associated Country Women of the World Triennial Conference's in Vancouver, B.C., Killarney, Ireland and The Hague Netherlands.

Eleanor is survived by her son James B. and Jana Stewart of Okemos, MI, two grandchildren; Tyler and Allyson Stewart of Okemos, MI, brother Robert and Blanche Rourke of Grayling, MI, two sisters; Pauline Melvin of Naples, FL, and Betty McEntee of Lexington, MI. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was predeceased by husband, Perry, one brother Gail Rourke, and four sisters; Madlene Waters, Arlene Baker, Kathleen Wetzel, and Patricia George.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns United Church of Christ Educational Fund or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Jennings-Lyons Chapel Owosso, Michigan.

Read Eleanor Stewart's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.