Mary Lou Stewart

December 19, 1924 - November 11, 2016

Mary Lou Stewart 1924 - 2016 Mary Lou Hasson Stewart was born in BakersfieldDecember 19, 1924 to Frank and Grace Hasson andpassed away peacefully on November 11, 2016. Shewas the second of three girls. She grew up on the(then) outskirts of Bakersfield on Fairhaven Drive.She attended Beardsley Elementary and KernCounty Union High School, which becameBakersfield High School. She co-wrote the lyrics tothe Alma Mater during her senior year. Shegraduated in 1942, six months after the US enteredWorld War II. Mary Lou worked and volunteered for the civiliandefense efforts during the war years. When the warended she was employed by the Kern CommunityCollege District. It was here that Mary Lou met herhusband to be, John Halliday Stewart, when hecame to enroll after his US Army discharge. Theywere married June 28, 1947. Her husband attendedlaw school at Stanford. When John graduated in1951, Mary Lou was awarded her PHT (Put Husband Through) degree. Theyreturned to Bakersfield to begin John’s law practice. Mary Lou became a chartermember of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary (the Pink Ladies). Her two childrenSandra and David were born in 1954 and 1955. In 1959, Mary Lou was widowed at age 34 when John died in a car accident.She immediately went to work for the new radio station in town: KLYD. Shecontinued with KLYD radio and TV until 1962, at which time she went to workfor the newly opened Foothill High School as their first Registrar. It was therethat Mary Lou decided to become a schoolteacher. She enrolled at Fresno StateCollege, Bakersfield Extension. In 1968 she graduated with her teachingcredential. Her children remember excellent home cooked meals that had to becleared in time for the college students who came over to study with Mary Lou.There was always a pot of tea in the middle of the papers spread all over thekitchen table. Mary Lou began her teaching career at Beardsley School Districtwhere she was first educated. She taught fourth grade for 21 years from 1969 to1990. She always retained fond memories of the generation of Beardsleystudents to whom she introduced the California Missions. After retiring, Mary Lou spent many happy hours traveling to the mostbeautiful places on the planet with friends and family. She kept meticulousjournals and labeled all her pictures. She returned to the Memorial HospitalAuxiliary, where she volunteered for another 22 years until 2012. She was thefriendly face who escorted patients to their rooms. She also became an activemember of the Kern County Retired Teachers Association. Most of all sheenjoyed time with her grandchildren. Each of them got a “Grandma Cruise”when graduating junior high. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Ruth and LoisHasson, her husband John H. (Jack) Stewart, as well as many dear friends andtraveling companions. She is remembered fondly by her daughter Sandy StewartRyan and husband Timothy, her son David Stewart, her grandchildren Josephand wife Amanda Ryan, Marie Claire Ryan, and Matthew Ryan, and onegreat-grand-daughter, Hayden Isabella Ryan. The family wishes to thank ArcadiaCare Home, owned by Jasmine Yatco, RN and her wonderful caregivers,especially Rose and Felly, who were so gentle, competent, and compassionateduring Mary Lou’s final months. A final thank-you goes to her physician, Dr.Jason Billson and to Hoffman Hospice. A memorial service will be held Monday, November 21st, 11 a.m. at MissionFamily Mortuary.