Stewart, E. Gwyneth
Stewart, Esther Gwyneth
May 21, 1928 - May 15, 2025
Esther Gwyneth STEWART, (nee Jones) passed away on May 15, 2025, in her 97th year.
Gwyneth or Gwyn as she was always known, was born in Ffairfach, Wales on May 21, 1928 to Thomas and Margaret Jones. She was second eldest, and the last surviving member of a large family of siblings.Gwyneth was pre-deceased by her loving husband of over 50 years, W. Brian Stewart. She is survived by her 3 children: Jenny, Bill (Judy), and Ellen (Greg Thomas), 8 adored grandchildren: Bryan (Melissa), André (Victoria), Stephanie (Mike), Zach (Lauren), Robyn (Thomas), Lindsay (Peter), Sara (Mike), Bronwyn (Alex), and 2 much anticipated and cherished great grandchildren, River and Norah.
Gwyneth trained at Swansea Teacher’s College, and first taught young children at Swindon Infants School. She then bravely travelled on her own from Wales to New Zealand, a 6 week journey by sea, where she joined her older sister and young family. There she taught elementary students at Titirangi School. After meeting a dashing young man, Brian, they soon married and emigrated to Canada, residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, then Oakville, Ottawa, and Mississauga Ontario, adopting their 3 children in different cities along the way.
Gwyn steadfastly remained close with the extended Jones family and with Dad’s New Zealand family, across the continents and across the years. She was always, and in all ways, fiercely proud of her Welsh heritage, and whilst growing her own family in Canada, there was always an underlying longing for home - hiraeth.
Gwyneth embraced being a grandmother and spent countless hours over the years babysitting, and teaching, singing songs, reading books, and taking the children on outings to the zoo and other places with Brian. She was supportive to all of her grandchildren, and always ready to dish out some life wisdom. Grandma was delighted when she could be part of graduations, weddings, celebrations, or simple family get togethers.
Gwyneth was also an avid gardener and reader, knitting expert, nature, animal, and dog lover. An ardent supporter of all things CBC, and a stickler for proper grammar and pronunciation. She always thought of the less fortunate, and generously shared her modest means by contributing to several charities every month for decades.
Gwyneth was known for being kind, good natured, and witty. She never wanted to be a bother, and true to form, after spending meaningful time with family in the preceding days, she slipped away peacefully and quietly in the early morning hours of May 15, 2025. She left lovely impressions on everyone she met, and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family gathering will follow. If desired, memorial donations in memory of Gwyneth Stewart may be made to Indspire, or the Mississauga Food Bank.
Rest in peace little Momma
Cysga’n dawel, Mam annwyl
