Joan Flaherty Stewart's Obituary
Joan Flaherty Stewart, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 20, 2018, at Methodist Hospice Residence in Memphis, TN.She was born September 1, 1925, in West Bend, WI, to the late Raymond and Hildegard Flaherty, only daughter among six children. She studied at Ripon College in Wisconsin and in 1947 married Robert James “Red” Stewart. They moved to Memphis, TN in 1949. Red preceded Joan in death in 1989.Joan was a strong, intelligent, resourceful and gracious lady. After devoting most of her younger years to raising her seven children, she went on to pursue a long, successful career in real estate, and was proud of earning her place in the “Million Dollar Club.” She was very active in her parish, Holy Rosary Catholic Church since its founding in 1954, and where she regularly served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. Her oldest child, Anne, was in the first Holy Rosary first-grade class, and when her youngest son, Andrew, completed the eighth grade there, it marked the end of 25 years of continuous attendance by all of the Stewart children.Joan was a member of the “greatest generation.” She survived the Great Depression and during World War II, as a teenage student, she worked in a munitions plant to support the war effort. While working to support the efforts of her two older brothers who were deployed overseas, she also was a second mom to her three younger brothers. The strength she gained during her formative years served her well in life. She was a fighter to the end, even as her health failed her. Joan is survived by six children; Anne Thweatt of Germantown, TN, Bob (Diana) Stewart, St. Louis, MO, Tom (Theresa) Stewart of Memphis, John (Cindy) Stewart of Libertyville, IL, Mary (Paul) Lucchesi of Memphis, and Andrew Stewart of Memphis. Joan has 11 surviving grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two brothers, John Flaherty of St. Louis, MO and Stephen Flaherty of Montello, WI, and many beloved nieces and nephews. One son, David Stewart of Memphis, one grandson, Reed Stewart of Libertyville, IL, and three brothers, Jim Flaherty of Manitowoc, WI, Dan Flaherty of La Crosse, WI and Tom Flaherty of Montello, WI, preceded her in death.A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4851 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117, followed by a Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Inurnment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119, 901-767-8930…..”Celebrating Life Behind The Stone Wall”…………
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