Irene A. Stewart

Irene A. Stewart, 95, of Inverness, Florida, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 30, 2017, at the Hospice House in Lecanto. Irene was born in Branden, Minnesota on September 13, 1922 to Leopold and Hilda Susanna Alapeteri, the youngest of their 16 children.

Irene married Robert E. Stewart in Phoenix, Arizona on November 26, 1941. The couple, married for 51 years, resided in River Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. They are survived by their four children, Judith C. Thomason (Steve Kasco) of Inverness, FL, Ronald E. Stewart (Elba) of Palatine, IL, Janine C. Stewart, of St. Petersburg, FL and Christine A. Stewart, teaching in Hangzhou, China; six grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. She was loved and will be missed by all.

Among her many gifts, she will be remembered as a loving mother and “Ammi” to her family, provider of a wonderful and welcoming home. Irene was a good cook, a talented artist, created beautiful ceramics, gardened, and could sew just about anything. She was a generous and caring friend to many, volunteered for civic tasks and was active in her church. Her skill set included singing, dancing, and the ability to hit a baseball. During WWII she worked at Douglas Aircraft as a “Rosie the Riveter”. In later years, she was employed for a time at Wilson Sporting Goods as a secretary. She loved bingo, bowling, golfing, walking in the woods, and garage sales.

No memorial is scheduled. A private celebration of life for the family will be held at a later date. Fero Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast, PO Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34461.