Dr. Harriette M. Stewart

Dr. Stewart was born on the 28th of November 1912, Thanksgiving Day, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Charles Joseph McLaughlin and Ida Ellen Humrichouse McLaughlin. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and Anderson, Indiana, graduating from Anderson High School.

As a child, she always wanted to be a doctor. She was able to pursue that career and studied pre-med at the University of Chicago and graduated in 1937 from The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine with a specialty in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Following graduation, she began her obstetrical practice in a 4-bedroom house in Lansing, Michigan.

By 1941, her practice had outgrown that space, and in 1942 she was a founder of The McLaughlin Osteopathic Hospital (later becoming Lansing General), and was Hospital Administrator and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics from 1942 to 1946. That facility was the former home of the automobile magnate, Ransom E. Olds, which she converted into the hospital.

Moving to St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Harriette and her husband, Dr. J. Natcher Stewart founded Normandy Osteopathic Hospital (later known as Deaconess Medical Center) where she was Hospital Administrator and Chairman of Obstetrics from 1947 to 1950. One more move to Dallas, Texas, resulted in their founding of Mid-Cities Memorial Hospital in Grand Prairie, Texas, in 1959, (later becoming Dallas-Ft. Worth Medical Center) where she was Hospital Administrator until 1973. Following their establishment of Mid-Cities Clinic in 1973, Dr. Stewart continued as Clinic Administrator until her retirement in 1986. In their spare time they enjoyed gourmet cooking, traveling, gourmet dining and antique collecting.

Dr. Stewart was a member of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians, Life Member of the American Osteopathic Association, Life Member of the American Osteopathic Hospital Association, Life Member of the American College of Osteopathic Hospital Administrators and a Fellow of the American College of Hospital Administrators.

Following the death of her husband in 1998, she moved to Houston, Texas, in 2000, to be close to family. She was indeed a pioneer in her profession and was a beautiful lady, the personification of elegance, dignity and integrity, making a lasting impression on all those she touched.

Dr. Stewart was predeceased by her parents, and a brother, Dr. Charles Emery McLaughlin. Survivors include her daughter, Linda G. Douglass and husband, Jack; her son, Charles N. Stewart and wife, Karyl; three grandsons, Michael S. Douglass and wife, Kathy, and twins, Craig M. Stewart and Jonathan N. Stewart; and two great grandchildren, Sara K. Douglass and Matthew S. Douglass.

A memorial service and celebration of her life is to be conducted at half-past two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 21st of March, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street in Houston, where Rev. Dr. Bill Heston, Executive Pastor, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby living room of the church.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and at Dr. Stewart’s request, charitable donations in her name may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Houston, 5300 Main St. Houston, TX, 77004.