It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Esme Leanora Stewart on December 2, 2021, at The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, with family and friends at her side.
Esme was born on May 28, 1932, in Trinidad. She worked as a teacher for several years in Port of Spain, Trinidad after attending teachers' college. She had a passion for teaching children and volunteering. In 1962, she immigrated to Canada with her husband Hugh to pursue further education. She attended the University of Manitoba and obtained a Master's degree in education.
She loved working as an elementary school teacher for many years in the inner city of Winnipeg. She later became the first Black Principal in the City of Winnipeg paving the way for other visible minorities to follow until her retirement in 1992.
Esme had a passion for sharing her Caribbean culture with Winnipeg and volunteered with Folklorama, the Caripeg Carnival Committee and the Dinamba Intercultural Association of Manitoba. She was also the President of the Black Educators Association of Manitoba and the Immigrant Women's Association of Manitoba (IWAM) in 2000-2001.
She received several awards for her community service particularly for her contribution to the Black Community. She received awards from the Winnipeg One School Division, was a Women of Distinction Award nominee and was a recipient of the Premier's Volunteer Service Award from the Province of Manitoba.
Esme was outgoing, passionate, intelligent, and hardworking, she enjoyed her calypso music and shared this passion with her grandchildren. Many days she would be cooking food for her grandchildren and watching them swim in the pool until they were waterlogged.
Esme is survived by her son Clayton (Marcia), their children, Joshua, Jasmine, and Jada ("the triplets"), her niece Rosalind "Gemma" White-Abraham (Len), her nephew Kelvin and his three children, Lisa, Kevin and Sean and her cousin Joe Collins, and her extended family in Winnipeg, New York particularly Christine Williams, and Trinidad particularly Keith Plowden and Dr. Stanley Plowden.
A special heartfelt thank you to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre and staff for their special care and attention given to Esme and our family.
A time of brief viewing and prayer will take place on Thursday, December 16, 2021, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at St. Bartholomew Anglican Church, 881 Autumnwood Drive, Winnipeg, MB R2J 1C2. Masks are required.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. Bartholomew Church in support of the Church social outreach programs.
A private Celebration of Life service will take place on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Green Acres Funeral Home, Hwy. #1 E. at Navin Road at 2:00 p.m. by invitation only due to COVID restrictions. Masks are required. A live stream video of the service can be viewed at Green Acres Website: www.greenarcesfuneralhome.com
