Stewart

Mary Lou Stewart, 92, passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Mary Lou was born in Saxonburg on June 25, 1932. She was the third child of Nellie and Norman Maurhoff.

Saxonburg was a small town with a two-room schoolhouse (Four grades downstairs, four grades upstairs), Mary Lou completed her elementary years at this school and was bused 10 miles away to Butler for her junior high and high school years. Mary Lou graduated from high school in 1950, and received a scholarship to Margaret Morrison College for Women at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon) and graduated in 1954.

At Carnegie, Mary Lou was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, serving as president in her senior year. The visiting field secretary encouraged her to apply for a graduate counselor scholarship to pursue a master’s degree. Mary Lou was accepted and her assignment was to organize a Kappa Chapter at Fresno State University. With much help from the Fresno Alumni Association, the local Delta Kappa organization was formed to become Delta Omega Chapter of National Kappa in October 1954.

In the spring of 1954, through Kappa alumni, she learned of a teaching position at Washington Junior High School. Mary Lou applied and was hired as an English/social studies teacher. While teaching at Washington, Mary Lou completed her master’s degree, and in 1959 she became dean of girls. In 1963, Mary Lou was appointed as a counselor at McLane High School, and then one year later, she assumed the position of dean of girls. Mary Lou served at McClane High School until 1975, and then transferred to Bullard High School. In 1981, Mary Lou became the learning director at Scandinavian Middle School. She then retired in 1989.

On Aug. 5, 1972, Mary Lou married Cade LaDell Stewart, who was a widower with two teenagers, France and Mark, and a married son, Bob. “Dell” was the owner of Stewart Pharmacy. In 1976, they purchased a home in Santa Cruz, Calif., spending weekends and free time at the beach. In 1997, they moved to Santa Cruz permanently. Mary Lou and Dell had a wonderful life together as Santa Cruz was their paradise. Their daily walks to the wharf for lunch or to purchase fresh fish for dinner were the highlight of their day. They walked through the boardwalk making many friends among the employees.

As Santa Cruz became their home, Mary Lou became involved with the Kappa Alumni Association. Their friendships were ever bonding. She was also a member of AAUW (American Association of University Women), particularly interested in their promotion of scholarships.

Through the years, Mary Lou and Dell made many trips to Saxonburg to spend time with her family. They enjoyed the small-time life there. She and Dell also loved working on jigsaw puzzles as evident by the display of completed puzzles on their garage walls. The daily crossword puzzles were also a favorite of Mary Lou’s pastimes, as well as playing bridge with her many friends.

Mary Lou’s life was very full with Dell’s three children, six grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren. She was forever grateful for them being her “family.” They and Kappa Kappa Gamma changed her life.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by Dell in 2013; her father in 1962; mother in 1996; and sisters, Hazel Ann and Norma Lee in 1990 and 2022, respectfully.

She is survived by stepchildren, Robert Stewart (Jan), France Gentile, and Mark (Judy) Stewart; six grandchildren, Robert Cade Stewart, Mary Stewart, Allison Mansuri (Sepehr), Jessica Scroggin (Richard), Vincent Gentile (Sierra) and Nico Gentile (Alex); plus her great-grandchildren. Mary Lou is also survived by her two nieces, Sue Van De Water (Steve) and Terri Mueller (Tom).

STEWART — Visitation and services for Mary Lou Stewart, who died Saturday, April 26, 2025, will be handled by Benito & Azzaro in Santa Cruz, Calif. and by Farewell Funeral Service in Fresno, Calif. Mary Lou will be laid to rest next to Dell in Fresno, Calif.

The Santa Cruz visitation is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. for Wednesday, May 14, at BENITO AND AZZARO PACIFIC GARDENS CHAPEL.

The Fresno visitation is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at FAREWELL FUNERAL SERVICE.

The Fresno graveside service is open to the public and is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 16, at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Fresno.

A remembrance can be made in Mary Lou’s name to Kappa Kappa Gamma House Board at 5347 N. Millbrook Ave., Fresno, CA 93710 or to AAUW (Santa Cruz Branch) Scholarship Fund. (See their website to make an online donation).

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.