Sister Mary Elizabeth Stewart, 70, died Feb. 27, 2018, in Holmdel, New Jersey. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement at Graymoor in Garrison in 1976 and served at St. Christopher’s Inn and Our Lady of the Atonement there.
Born Aug. 29, 1947, in Rochester, she was the daughter of Harold and Philomena (Hendron) Stewart. She grew up in the salt-mining town of Retsof, where she played sports of all kinds. She graduated from York Central High School in 1965 and continued her education at the Rochester Business College and then worked at the Livingston County Home.
As a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, she professed her first vows on May 26, 1979, and her final vows on Aug. 8, 1987. While a Franciscan sister, Mary earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology from Oblate College in Washington, D.C.
As an Atonement missionary for 39 years, Sister Mary served in Amsterdam, New York; St Cecilia’s in New York City; the Cabrini Home in Dobbs Ferry; Arms Acres in Carmel; and St. Christopher’s Inn. Her retreat ministries were at Our Lady of the Atonement and in New Jersey, where she moved in 1993. One of Mary’s favorite activities was attending spiritual retreats at Emmaus house in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
Mary was a faithful friend of Bill for over 30 years. She gave and got great support and comfort within the recovery community and provided love and encouragement to those in need.
She is survived by a brother, James Stewart, of Madison, Wisconsin.
A memorial service will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, at the John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank, New Jersey.
