Kathleen “Kay” Charlotte Steward

MANCHESTER – Kathleen Charlotte Steward, 97 of Manchester, passed away on Jan. 13, 2023. She was born in Vassalboro, Maine, the daughter of William and Myrtle (Hughes) Gove.

She married Ernest L. Steward on Dec. 21, 1946 and together they raised six children.

Kay provided a loving daycare to dozens and dozens of children over the years. She loved all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren so much. Caring for children was always so important to her. When she was in her eighties, she and her husband were still able to provide childcare for their great-grandson and intermittently for other great grandchildren. Her family always believed it was their mom’s large family and young children that kept her young and with us for so long.

In the earlier years Kay took time from her childcare business and worked at Stevens School as a Training School Counselor for ten years until the school closed. She then returned to helping her family and others with childcare.

Kay was an expert knitter and made baby sweaters, hats, mittens, stockings, and Christmas stockings. She was so happy to find that her knitted baby hats could benefit other children and families and donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Portland. She also donated hats and mittens to the local schools and craft shows that were fundraising for their communities.

Kay spent hours working in her flower gardens which gave her so much joy. Kay particularly loved her irises, columbine, petunias, pansies, and portulaca.

In her older years, one of her favorite things to do was sit at her kitchen table watching the birds and other critters at her feeders. Kay had a soft spot for chipmunks and particularly enjoyed feeding them, sometimes right out of her hand while sitting on the porch. She was so happy to have the hummingbirds, woodpeckers, cardinals, baltimore orioles, and other bird species visit her.

Kay was predeceased by her husband Ernest L. Steward; they had been married for 68 years. Ernest passed away in June 2014. She was also predeceased by her three sisters, Ruth Haney, Gladys Yeaton, Evelyn Zeighler, a brother Richard Gove, and her son-in-law Ronnie Bechard.

She is survived by her children, Jeannie Johnson and husband Frank, Linda Bechard and partner, John Collins, Bill Steward and wife Sue, Jim Steward and partner, Sandra Drake, Keith Steward, and Margaret Steward and spouse Kelli Fox. She had seventeen grandchildren Amy, Tracie, Holly, Kevin, Mickey, Bart, Derek, Nicole, Scott, Marcie, Cody, Jamie, Chad, Chase, Tiffany, Kai, and Devan. Twenty great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren

Our family would like to thank Maine General Medical Center and Gray Birch Rehabilitation Center for the excellent care provided to our mom.

A private family celebration of mom’s life is planned in the spring when the flowers bloom.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Funeral Alternatives, 82 Western Avenue, Maine.

If you would like to send a donation in Kathleen’s name. Please send it to a charity of your choice.