Mary Stewart

Mary Stewart, was born the oldest child of W. Roland McCleary & G. Vay McCleary on January 5, 1943. She was a sister to Bill and Lola (as well as, Shirley, though for only a month). As a young woman she met a young sailor named Floyd, that had patronized the bar she waitressed at. It was a whirlwind romance that resulted in three children, Jeff (Gerri) Stewart, Lola (Greg) Graham, and Robin (Glen) Krueger; six grandchildren, Brandon (Taylor) Stewart, Bradley (Kelli) Stewart, Ashlyn Krueger, Caitlyn Graham, Alex Krueger, and Jessica Henley; and seven great-grandchildren!

I can tell you she hosted so many wonderful Christmases and Thanksgivings. She wasn't a "career orientated" woman. She never ran for office nor stood in any protests. She wasn't a public person. But, she loved with all she was. She gave with everything she had. She was modest, quiet, understanding, and supportive. She was all these things and so much more. She was a classy woman that held it up. Quietly. Strongly. She was a true role model. The truest of best friends, she loved everyone. She welcomed all without judgment into her home. She was a safe oasis in this harsh world. Together with Floyd, they were a force of love and life. Floyd preceded her in death on April 12, 2023. We watched the heartbreak of heartbreaks as she mourned for him. On September 4th, of this year, Floyd's birthday, Mary was brought home from the hospital to family as she started her journey to join the love of her life. It took roughly 36 hours of being surrounded by love and well wishes of for a happy departure to find Floyd, her Mom & Dad, sister, and so many more family and friends. Quietly, she slipped away in the early morning hours of September 6, 2025. For a moment, I could have sworn, time stood still. I can tell you we were relieved that the time of departure had come at the very moment we felt our deepest grief. She was our wisdom. Our love. Our safe place in such a dark world. And it just became a little darker without you.

I can tell you all these things.

But what I can't nor could ever tell you is how beautiful she truly was. How strong she truly was. How it felt to be loved by her. How complete it felt just being in her presence. I could never tell you what a huge hole is left behind now that she is gone. But that's not right either. There's a hole, yes. But I truly, honestly, with my whole being feel so privileged to have called her my best friend, my wise-woman, my mother. And I feel so much more enriched in life having felt and been bathed in that kind of love.

Per her & my father's wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers to honor the memory of Mary Charlotte McCleary Stewart, please consider donating to your local animal shelter.