Mary Stewart

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas -- Mary Frances McCawley Stewart passed away Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, after a short illness. She was awake and alert until the last few days of her life and was at peace with what was happening. Characteristically, she was more concerned about her family than herself.

Mary was born Dec. 20, 1925, in Jefferson City, Missouri, to L.L. and Nona Dick McCawley. She had a beloved older sister, Robert Ann McCawley Rhodes, who preceded her in death in 2015. In 1948, she married Dale Neville Stewart in Cape Girardeau. They had four children, Mac, Pat, Bridget and Ann, whom they worked hard for to put through college, with the children earning five post-graduate degrees. Mary and Dale were married for 66 years until Dale passed away in 2015. Their beloved grandson, Jack Stewart, preceded them in death in 2014.

Mary had friendships that lasted her lifetime, and she made new friends with joy. She was generous with her friends and family, both near and far. Mary and Dale shared their successes with others gladly and without hesitation. Through example, Mary taught her children to be empathetic, and open and inclusive in thought and action. She was a wise counselor to others, and her children in particular.

Mary Frances McCawley Stewart was the beloved wife of Dale Stewart; mother of Mac, Pat, Bridget and Ann; mother-in-law of Ann Gatewood Stewart, Marion Merritt and Patricia Police Stewart; grandmother of Colin, Kevin, Jack and Justin; and great-grandmother of Amelia Frances Stewart.

A memorial gathering will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Johnson County Chapel and Memorial Gardens in Overland Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice in Mary's name. Thank you.

Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.