Lillian Carmel Stewart Fine, 78, of Brunswick, Georgia, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at her home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick. She will be laid to rest next to her precious daughter Megan.
Carmel was born in Brunswick, Georgia, to Beatrice Lang Gale Stewart and Joseph C. Stewart on January 1, 1940 to much fanfare as the first baby born in the New Year. As the youngest child of six, she was blessed with many siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews – all of whom she adored. She was active with swimming, golf and tennis in the summers and she never shied away from a competition. Upon graduating from Glynn Academy in 1957, she attended Ohio University. After a year, she returned to her home state and went on to graduate from the University of Georgia with a degree in teaching. Her love for all children led her to choose Special Education as her emphasis. She believed in guiding each child she taught to their full potential and was a true champion of children with special needs. Carmel’s teaching career began in Savannah, but her sense of adventure took her to Boston and then Japan to teach for the Overseas Teaching Program.
In 1965, she married Delbert Fine and had a daughter the following year. Next came a teaching assignment in Bermuda, followed by 27 years in Germany. During that time, she had a son and another daughter. Many weekends and summers were spent traveling throughout Europe with her family, friends from all over the world, and visiting relatives. In 1994, Carmel was awarded a Master of Education degree. Outside of the classroom, Carmel coached the high school tennis teams and soccer for all three of her children. Upon retirement, Carmel returned to Georgia but eventually settled in New Smyrna Beach, Florida with her best friend, Siggy Djuren. They have been constant companions for the last 27 years. It was well known that Carmel’s door was always open, and she embraced and entertained everyone who entered. Carmel was adventurous, brave, and funny; a sister, cousin, aunt, and grandmother; a friend, leader and supporter; but most of all, she was always Mama to Kirstin, Chad, and Megan. She was the best of us.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter Megan Gale Fine, brothers Joe Stewart, Dave Gale, and Neal Gale.
Survivors include her daughter Kirstin Michele Davies and son-in-law Richard Davies of Woodinville, Washington; her son Chad Stewart Fine of Liberty Township, Ohio; her best friend Sieglinde Djuren; her sister Charlotte Miller of Brunswick, Georgia; her brother William H. Stewart and sister-in-law Lynn Stewart of Saint Simons Island, Georgia; five grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to join us Friday evening, April 13, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, Brunswick, Georgia.
