Elizabeth Ruth (Bessie) Steward (nee McGrath) born on May 15, 1911, passed away on October 3, 2008 at the age of 97. Born in Moose Jaw, Bessie married Raymond on October 12, 1942 and lived in the Crane Valley District for sixty-five years. They retired back to Moose Jaw in 1982. Bessie and Raymond met in 1937 as she was teaching at Bliss Lake and boarded with Raymond's uncle Seth Steward. She later moved to Crane Valley to teach and board at Raymond's parents. They raised their four daughters here. Bessie was a loving wife and mother - cooking for her husband and family gave her the greatest joy and she was so good at it. She also enjoyed traveling to over 30 countries with Raymond. Bessie was very active in the Community, especially the United Church and the United Church Ladies Aid. She was active in the Rebekah Lodge and became a lifetime member. She was also a lifetime member of Timothy Eaton Gardens. They attended Zion United Church which had been Bessie's church as a young girl. Bessie and Raymond lived in their own home until the last three months of her life. Bessie's remaining days were lived comfortably thanks to the caring staff at Pioneer Lodge. She was predeceased by her parents, Mary and James McGrath, brother, Jack McGrath; sisters: Helen Dunn, Mary Francis McKenna, Dorothy McCormick; brothers-in-law: William Dunn, James McKenna, Gillis McCormick and her niece, Brenda McCormick. Bessie is survived by her husband of sixty-six years, Raymond; daughters: Marilyne - Calgary, Nancy - Edmonton, Shirley (Lorne) Ozipko - Emerald Park, Pat (Larry) Hesterman - Regina; grandchildren: Chris (Lori), Kent (Heather), Kevin (Rhonda), Ryan and Tracey; great-grandchildren: Alex, Andrew, Kate and Mya; and nieces: Sandra Dunn and Janis Jones. A Celebration of Bessie's Life will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in the W. J. Jones & Son Funeral Chapel, 106 Athabasca St. E., Moose Jaw. Linda Owens will officiate. Interment will follow at the family plot, Rosedale Cemetery. For those so wishing, memorials for Pioneer Lodge Memory Lane Special Needs Equipment Fund, 1000 Albert Street, Moose Jaw, S6H 2Y2 would be appreciated. In living memory of Bessie, a tree will be planted in Besant Park by W. J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register book at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries). Donald Jones Funeral Director