Marcelle Peter Stewart was born on June 22, 1934 in the old settlement of Pine Bluff, Saskatchewan to his late parents Johnnie and Lena Stewart. He married his soul mate Nellie on his birthday on June 22, 1961. Together they raised their family of one son and five daughters, adopted children and grandchildren Michael, Kimberly, Muriel, Late Landon, and Trevin Stewart.
Our dad was a professional paddler at the age of nineteen years old, along with his paddling partner late John Baptiste Laliberte. They competed in many Canoe Derbies in Flin Flon, MB, The Pas, MB, and Niagara Falls, ONT. Their first win was in 1959 in first place. The Flin Flon Museum also bought their winning trophy to show and display at the Charlebois School in 2020. He got to hold his trophy once again after 61 years and they took it back home to the Flin Flon Museum. He was full of pride and memories that day. He was honoured to be part of his late canoeing partners’ legacy of our yearly JB Days Canoe Derby and the Marcel Stewart Classic Local was included with the prize payouts. He leaves a legacy of new and past paddlers that looked up to him with pride and respect.
Our dad came home and started his family and went to work at the old Government Farm as a farmer. He loved working there and was a strong and hard-working man. After the Government Farm shut down he ran his own farm by his house at Mameek. It was very successful until he retired to enjoy his family and grandchildren.
He loved spending time with his late wife and they would go drive around the island every evening. He would go treat his love with an ice cream and just enjoy the scenery. He would spend most of his days outside to work on his vehicles or make things with wood. Lots of his double-doored garbage stands are still standing up in some driveways.
He was a very loving father and grandfather. He cared and didn’t want anything to happen to them or their well-being. It showed because he would get up middle of the night to go give them rides, go buy their needs at the local stores or help them financially. He was a giving person who would give you the shirt off his back. He worked hard all his life and wanted to share what he could give.
Our family had yearly celebrations for his birthdays and wedding anniversaries. He would invite all his farm co-workers and family and friends. He loved the company and reminiscing about days of fun and laughter. He enjoyed spending time and visiting with everyone that went to see him at home or would meet up at the post office, stores or even in Nipawin. Dad enjoyed visits from family. He received daily calls from his family and friends to check on his day and health. When he couldn’t drive anymore, his daughter’s Val and Olga took turns taking him to cruise the Island. Elizabeth and Gloria spent a lot of time with him, cooking meals for him, cleaning his room and changing his clothes. He loved doing his Word Fill-ins, loved watching television shows that included Wild Animals and Cooking Wild Game.
During his last days at home while he was sick, he asked Elizabeth to pack his overnight bag and was ready to go to the Nipawin Hospital. He secretly left us to go join his wife and children and family that went before him. Our dad led a good and long life and we’re sad he left us but his job on Earth is done and fulfilled.
Marcel will be forever lovingly remembered by his family:
His daughters Olga (Kelly) Crane, Marlene Stewart,
Elizabeth Stewart and Valerie (Patrick) Settee
Adopted children Vincent Stewart, Rose McGillivary,
Shem (Velma) McKay
Sister Flora J. Stewart
Brother James C. Stewart
Sisters-in-law Caroline Stewart
Son-in-law Benjamin Ballantyne
In-laws Christie Crane, Isaac and Maryann Ballantyne
Godchildren Warren Cook, Terry L. (Shane) McKay,Rose McGillivary, Kristen McGillivary, Kiya McGillivary
Grandchildren
Great Grandchildren
Nieces and Nephews
Marcel was predeceased by his:
Wife and Soulmate Nellie Grace Stewart
Children Twins (1961), Dale Stewart, Sherrine Ballantyne
Adopted Son Zacheus (Zekes) Stewart
Grandchildren Michael Stewart (stillborn), Landon Stewart
Parents Johnnie and Lena Stewart
Paddling Partner John Baptiste Laliberte
Sisters and Brothers Martha Stewart, Fred (Hermaline) Stewart, Baptiste (Sophie) Stewart, Tom (Sarah Jane) Stewart, George (Flora) Stewart, Clara (Thomas) Laliberte, Caroline (James Sr.) Carriere
Daughters-in-law Doreen Stewart, Connie McKay
In-laws Cornelius & Frances Young, Pete Crane, Rod & Mariam Settee, Lawrence & Rebeca McGillivary, Marcel & Barbara McGillivary