NEW GLASGOW - Jean Muriel Stewart, 85, New Glasgow passed away on Friday January 27, 2017 in Glen Haven Manor.
Born in Oxford. N.S., she was a daughter of the late Allison and Ella (Rushton) Miller. At an early age she started painting and this was to become her life’s passion. As a young artist, she studied with well-known artists such as John Cook, Alan Wylie, Julius Zarand, Fred Ross, William deGarthe, Zoltan Szabo, John McCarthy and Buz Baker and loved exploring new locations with her paints, brushes, camera and easel. Most weekends in the fall were spent along the shorelines and backroads of Pictou County. Jean was an enthusiastic supporter of the arts community in Pictou County as a teacher and mentor and in 1979 opened Gallery 448 in New Glasgow, selling her own work as well as works of other local artists and craftsmen. This gallery was open for 25 years and many artists had their first “opening” at Gallery 448 and some staff members became artists under her mentoring. Jean served as one of the original directors of the Board of Directors of the Sobey Art Foundation. Jean was commissioned by Frank Sobey to paint local historical buildings in the Pictou County area.
Jean is survived by husband, John, New Glasgow; children, Heather Stewart (Robert Maher), Lawrencetown; Sandy Stewart (Don Higgins), Windsor and Melville; Stephen Stewart, Frasers Mountain. “Granny” will be missed by grandchildren, Patrick Maher (Emily Root), Sydney; Andrew Maher (Julia Landry), Iqaluit, NU; and Laurel (Nic) Schnee, Port Moody, BC; great grandchildren, Fraser and Logan Root-Maher; Quinn Landry; Isla Maher; Marcus and Owen Schnee. Her grandchildren spent many summers “helping” granny in the gallery enroute to Big Cove Camp. This summer her six great grandchildren had the opportunity to visit her at the family get together. She was predeceased by her brother, Dennis Miller.
The family will receive visitors 2-4 pm Wednesday in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral service will be held 11 am Thursday in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Dr. Joon Ki Kim officiating. Interment will be held in Pine Grove Cemetery, Oxford, at a later date. Family flowers only please, donations may be made to the Huntington Society of Canada or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the staff of Glen Haven Manor, for her wonderful care, and her many friends and supporters in the arts community.
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