Mary Booth Steward

There will never be anyone like Dr. Mary Booth Steward. She will be remembered for so many, many things: the yellow Mercedes ambling down South 14th at 20 MPH, picking lint from my wool sweaters, her wardrobe occupying every closet in the house, her countless volunteer hours at the Thrift House, her pixie haircut, and her organizational skills. She referred to her house as “organized clutter,” but to the rest of us, it was known, affectionately, as “Mary’s Mercantile.” We will remember her for all of these things, but most importantly, we will remember the way in which she lived her life. She taped dimes and nickels to the hands of children, before she administered anesthesia. As a baby gift, she gave new Mothers and Grandmothers a bank, filled with quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies, as an incentive to save money for college. When I would visit, she always sent me home with a roll of quarters for parking, a sack filled with peanut butter crackers in case I got hungry, and she made me promise to always call her when I stepped inside my front door. No amount of money can ever replace her. She was born, Mary Booth, to Greek immigrants, who landed at Ellis Island to make a home in America. Her Father and Mother opened The Royal Candy Kitchen by which they educated four children, one, a real estate agent and three of whom became physicians---my Mother being one of them. Driven by a strong work ethic, she embarked on a career in medicine when it was not fashionable for women to work at all. Although she had admired a diamond ring in a jewelry store for several years, she decided that instead of finding a way to buy the ring, she would spend the money and to go into medicine. She attended Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, choosing pediatrics as her specialty. Later, her path directed her to become the first female resident in anesthesia at Parkland Hospital. A friend introduced her to my father by sending him to Dallas to visit her during a shift at the hospital. I will always think of her as a pathfinder---an honor that would be bestowed upon her in later life. Her tenacity, integrity and the love of and faith in God, carried her through the perilous journey of her life. Though many obstacles lodged themselves in front of her, she moved forward with grace and an unfailing optimistic spirit. In times of illness, she told me to tell “it” to go away. In times of despair, she would tell me that the only thing I could not do was to crack up. She and my Father were the foundation upon which I built my life---they believed in me, whether it was at the pinnacles of the successes or in the multitude of the failures. Their love was unending and unconditional. Her siblings, Argero, Earnest and James preceded her to the life beyond; she joins her Father and Mother, Peter Dimitri and Mary Booth, along with her cherished Grandson, Whit, and her loving husband, James Willard, “Jimpsey,” Steward. Her family was the center of her world, which she demonstrated by an unceasing generosity of love, devotion and Mother bear instinct. She leaves behind her daughter, Christina, numerous nieces, nephews, the Collins kids, Phil, Diane, Bryan, Jimmy, Brother-in-law, Jack, and all of their children, the Booth kids, Eric, Chris, Dana, Donna and all of their children, the Vletas clan, Helen, George, Cannell, Nicki, Donna and Debra, her granddogs, Pippin and Chanel, her caretaker, Tod, her chef, David, and me, Cal. She left an indelible impression on all of the compassionate staff at Wisteria Place: especially, the physical therapists, Sheila, Glenn, also known as “Earle,” Brenda, and, of course, Jennifer. Memorials to Dr. Mary Booth Steward can be made with contributions to THE WHIT CAMMACK FOUNDATION, PO Box 6372, Denver, Colorado, 80206. These donations provide scholarships to students in financial need. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at The Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander, Abilene, Texas 79602, to which she dedicated her spiritual life. Many years ago, she told me that she wanted the hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers,” to be played at her funeral. I will grant her wish, as she moves onward, bathed in that splendid, heavenly light. I am secure in the knowledge that she is encircled by all of our loved ones----- organizing their eternal lives and telling them what to do. Rest well, my beloved.