Colleen Helen Marie Stewart

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Colleen Stewart (neé McCarthy) of East Sullivan after a valiant fight with cancer. She was the cherished wife of Alfred (Fred) Stewart, daughter of the late Linus McCarthy. Survived by her mother Patricia (McCallum) McCarthy of Quispamsis, New Brunswick. She is also survived by brothers Thom and Terry of Moncton, New Brunswick and Sean (Kerry-Lynn) of Kirkland, Quebec and sister Norah (Ron) Soobratee of Quispamsis, New Brunswick, her step children Michael (Paula) and Kevin (Loren) of Tewksbury, Eric (Gail) of East Falmouth and her 9 step grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Also survived by her favorite nieces Caitlin and Erin Soobratee, Kiera and Lauren McCarthy and her wonderful nephew James McCarthy. She will be sadly missed by her many cousins, most especially Margaret McCallum (her second sister) and her husband, Mike. Colleen was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada and moved several times with her family growing up finally settling in Saint John, New Brunswick after graduation. She began her professional life as a title abstractor in the property ownership verification field and was very well respected within the legal community in southern New Brunswick. She was called upon to prove ownership in many court cases. She met Fred in 1978 and moved with him to his home in Ellsworth, Maine a short while after. She and Fred resided in Danvers, Mass and on the Cape for a number of years, prior to moving to Keene in the early 90s.

Colleen loved to entertain and was a wonderful cook. She enjoyed hosting friends and family and was always prepared well ahead of time. She could put a dinner party for 15 or more at the drop of hat and make it seem effortless. Her organizational skills extended to her work ethics as well and she was a very valued employee for many years in the mail order business and hotel management and in more recent years, at the Keene Resource Senior Centre where she found her true passion in helping the seniors of the community. She had no idea when she started with the centre how much her connection and passion for the centre would guide her through some of the most challenging times of her illness. She persevered for the benefit of the community. She will be missed by co-workers and the seniors of the community.

In addition to her father, Colleen was predeceased by her infant brother, Kevin. The family would like express their sincere thanks to the Keene Seniors Centre, Dr. Larman, his staff and everyone at the Oncology Department at the Cheshire Medical Center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center for their care and compassion.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene, NH on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:00am. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kingsbury Cancer Center, 580 Court Street, Keene, NH. 03431.