Rhoda Stewart, late of Weyburn, passed away at Tatagwa View, House 2, on March 25, 2012, at the age of 95 years. Rhoda was predeceased by her partner Edward "Mutt" Hourd; her parents, Bob and Vina Stewart; her sisters: Mary Brown and Nell Istace; her brother, Don Stewart and her nephew Glenn Hourd. She is survived by her sister Agnes, Carlyle; her sister-in-law, Doris Stewart, Weyburn; her daughter, Sandy Stewart (Allan Williamson), Weyburn; her grandson, Graham Stewart, Regina, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and Allan's family: Memory and Colin, Kale and Shelby, Linda and Merritt, Riley, Robert and Joelle, Haley and Campbell, Joel and Lisa and girls. Rhoda was born in the Forest Edge area, North of Kisbey (Sec. 23, Twp. 8, Rge. 6, W2nd). Her fondest memories were of her childhood in the "hills of home" and her school days. She did not finish Grade 12 at that time and had to go work for farmers in the area- the most notable being the Bryces on the south side of the Moose Mountain Park. During those years Rhoda and Nell went to all the dances in the area and sang cowboy songs; they dreamed of being cowgirls on a working ranch. Rhoda "took the road less traveled" and chose to live common law with Mutt rather than marrying. On June 14, 1954, Sandy was born in the Grey Nuns hospital in Regina where the nuns tried daily to convince her to give the baby up because she was living in sin. Her strength would not allow it. After a month in the hospital, she came home, took the baby to the barn and milked the 15 cows, while the baby slept in the "oat box". The next day she faced the community at the Kennedy Rodeo! Those who supported her during this time will be remembered! During those years, Rhoda sat up many nights after more than a full day of hard farm work and completed her Grade 12 by correspondence and a coal oil lamp. Education was a priority for Rhoda and through many personal sacrifices she saw that Sandy and Graham received a higher education. Rhoda was a caregiver - she fed many less fortunate in the community, cared for her parents, and the many many animals that were in her life. After retirement from Willowdale Lodge in Kipling, Rhoda and her two sisters, Nell and Agnes fondly called "the Golden Girls" at the US border made a weekly trip to the Border Bar where they made many friends. The greatest joy in Rhoda's life was her grandson, Graham, with whom she spent a lot of time at the farm gardening, golfing and having a dram. Rhoda moved from the farm to Carlyle, then moved to Weyburn where she lived independently in Bison Manor until April 2011. She then moved to Eden Home, then to Tatagwa in November 2012. She made many friends at each stop in her life. Rhoda was "Mum", "Gran", "Aunty" and a friend to many from every walk of life. She passed on her strength and independence to Sandy and Graham and we are so grateful for that! May she be dancing in the heather on the hills of her beloved Scotland! A private gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Saskatchewan, 2550-12th Ave., Suite 301, Regina, SK S4P 2X1 to battle the disease to which she lost two sisters and a brother. Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com "Our family serving your family".
