Helen "Ginnie" Stuart

Helen “Ginnie” Stuart, 86, passed away peacefully at home April 4, 2011 surrounded by family. She courageously endured a 27 year battle with breast cancer. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, Charles F. Stuart, Sr., former mayor of Kensington, MD and retired advertising executive of The Washington Post. Ginnie retired from nearly 40 years of work with the Montgomery County League of Women Voters (MCLWV).

A New Yorker, Ginnie was born in the Bronx October 27, 1924 and grew up in Manhattan before marrying Charles and moving to the Washington DC area. Her early years were spent exploring New York’s arts offerings, skating with the BB Roller Skating Club of Astoria, Long Island and singing in her church choir. As a young adult she enjoyed dancing to the jazz big bands of New York City and went to fashion design school where she was selected to begin a brief modeling career that included photo modeling for Vogue magazine. As World War II began she worked to support the war efforts, employed at a metal plant in Brooklyn. Ever fashion conscious and creative with her own style, she worked in the millinery department of Bonwit Teller once the war ended.

Her marriage to “Charlie” Stuart brought her to the DC area where she resided the next 62 years. As her children went off to school she volunteered then worked for the MCLWV. She remained active in voter guide development, membership organization and research projects of the League. She was commended for her many years of service and as one league leader noted, “was the heart and soul of the League.” An avid knitter, her works have been gifts to the delight of many friends and family. A lifelong learner, she enjoyed reading, particularly mysteries, and studying on current events such that until a few days before her passing she continued to read the New York Times, The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal front to last page. She had taken classes in weaving, ceramics, belly dancing, Chinese cooking, stained glass and guitar among others.

She enjoyed traveling with Charlie and as avid Redskin fans attended several super bowls. They cruised to Alaska, ventured to England and Ireland. Several times they vacationed in Hutchinson Island, Florida and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. But they especially enjoyed the family cottage in Traverse City, Michigan, most recently since Charlie’s passing attending the Traverse City Film Festival, and time they spent in Eastport and Annapolis, MD. They were committed to historical preservation and were active members of the Montgomery County Historical Society. In 1997, Ginnie and Charlie were honored in Friendship Heights for their work in the county. Ginnie loved her home and garden in Kensington, which she maintained with her son, Peter. She is at rest with Charlie and will be deeply missed. As she would say “see you when I see you”!

Ginnie is survived by her four children, sons Charles (Diane) F. Stuart, Jr. Esq. and Peter Stuart, daughters Dr. Denise Stuart (Gene Gant) and Nancy Stuart Tavenner, and three grandchildren, Kayla Tavenner, Chip Stuart and Christine Stuart as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial donations can be made to charitable non-profit, League of Women Voters Montgomery County Citizen Education Fund (LWVMC-CEF) 12216 Parklawn Drive, Suite 101, Rockville, MD 20852 or to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Calling and a service took place at Joseph Gawler’s & Sons; condolences can be left here at www.mem.com (Helen Stuart) where one can view commemorative photos of her life and gardens.