Obituary of Velma K. Stewart

Velma K. Stewart, 89, wife of Donald H. Stewart, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2023, in Bangor.  She was born in Brewer, February 2, 1934, the daughter of John and Mildred (Canty) Gass. 

Velma was a graduate of  Brewer High School and on April 23, 1953, she married the love of her life, Donald H. Stewart in Brewer where they settled and raised their family. Over the years Velma  enjoyed camping trips with her family and friends, ski trips to the family camp in Greenville, summers at the camp in Lucerne, and wintering in Florida with Donnie in their younger years. Velma and Donnie were fortunate to celebrate their 70^th wedding anniversary earlier this year.  Velma had many hobbies and interests over the years but she particularly enjoyed skiing, tennis, and golf. She was an excellent golfer and made two hole-in-ones; the first woman to get a hole-in-one at Bangor Municipal Golf Course. After this amazing accomplishment, her friends joked that they were going to call the Bangor Daily News on her because, while she may have gotten a hole-in-one, when they returned to the golf course the next day she shot an 11 on that same hole! 

Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never missed any of her grandchildren’s sporting events or theater performances, was an avid lover of Barbie Dolls, and always looked forward to attending the Robinson Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” every year at Christmas time, which she did for 23 consecutive years. Velma taught her grandchildren to play tennis and golf, brought them strawberry picking, and played a million games of Parcheesi. 

She is survived by her husband Donnie, sons Bruce Stewart and his wife Yvette, Brent Stewart and his partner Kellie McKenney; grandchildren Tyler Stewart and his wife Riley, Megan Stewart, Mitchell Stewart, and Jacob McKenney; great-grandchildren Landry and Sienne Stewart; and several nieces and nephews. Velma was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Sally Zoidis (Bill) and Kathaleen Arnold (Eddie), brother Andrew Gass (Keneen), and niece Lori Arnold-Haas. 

At Velma’s request, services will be private. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer. Arrangements entrusted to Kiley and Foley Funeral Service, 69 State Street, Brewer.