Josephine “Josie” Beltrán Stewart of Conroe, Texas passed away peacefully on November 9, 2018, in her home with her family and friends by her side. Josie was born in Bogotá, Colombia on January 16, 1932, to Luis Beltrán and Isabel Zapata Cortés. Josie was the youngest of seven. She spent much of her childhood at her parents’ ranch outside of Bogotá but lived with her Aunts Helena and Carmen inside the capital so she could attend school. Later, she began her studies in architecture at the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá, Colombia, founded in 1623 by the Jesuits; she graduated from “la Javeriana” in 1961, one of two women in her class. After graduating, Josie worked as an architect constructing houses, schools and churches in and around Bogotá, Colombia. She also developed skills as an entrepreneur, owning a boutique shop selling baby clothes and another business involving toys. She loved her time in Colombia, enjoying strong bonds of friendship and familial ties.
In January 1970, while visiting her sisters and cousins in Houston, Texas, she met the love of her life, Douglas “Gene” E. Stewart. They were married soon thereafter in a civil ceremony in Houston in March of 1970 and in a religious ceremony in June of that year, with her brother, Father Santiago Beltrán Cortés, presiding. They spent the next few years in various places in the United States, where Gene’s work took them. In 1977, their son Douglas E. Stewart Jr. was born. They remained in Houston until 1980 before once again traveling for Gene’s work, this time to the United Kingdom where they spent four years in England and Scotland. Josie had very fond memories of her time in the U.K. Living in a small village outside of St Andrews, Fife, many Scots had never met a Colombian, but they embraced her and her American husband and son with open arms.
Josie and Gene returned to Houston in 1984, when she received her U.S. citizenship, for which she was very proud. In 1986, Josie and Gene moved to Conroe, Texas to begin their retirement, though Josie did not stay still.
She was extremely active in the community, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity during her initial years in Conroe as well as volunteering and supporting her son’s activities throughout his school years. She was very proud of her church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Conroe where she served as a Eucharistic minister and in other capacities such as a counselor for Birthright, counseling young mothers. Josie also participated in the Republican Party serving as the Precinct Judge or Deputy Precinct Judge in her precinct for many years.
Josie was very social, participating in a bowling league with her team during her entire time in Conroe. She enjoyed her time with friends, playing bunco and going to lunches. She also adored dachsunds and was a constant presence on the streets of Rivershire over the years, first walking Fritz, then Oscar and finally, Leo. Above all, Josie loved her family, her friends, her church and her community. Josephine Stewart is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Gene Stewart, her son, Douglas Stewart and his fiancé, Isabela Mesquita Provenza, her stepson Daryl Stewart and his wife, Diane Stewart and their sons Nicholas Stewart and Jeremy Mills. She is also survived by many cousins and friends in Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States.
Josie is preceded in death by her parents, Luis and Isabel Beltrán, her sisters, Carmen Maria Beltrán Cortés and Cecilia Beltrán Cortés, and brothers, Luis Maria Beltrán Cortés, Santiago Beltrán Cortés, Julio Beltrán Cortés and Alfonso Beltrán Cortés.
She will be missed but is with her Father in Heaven now. A Celebrations Mass will be held for Josie at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 109 N Frazier St, Conroe, TX 77301.
A special thanks to Father Philip Wilhite at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Maria Zuniga, her long-time friend and housekeeper, the staff at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at the Texas Medical Center, Drs. Monisha Singh, M.D. and Shilpan Shah, M.D. and to her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Josie Stewart’s name at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Stewart family by signing the guest book
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