September 22, 2022
by Sean Stewart
Margaret "Maggie" M. Stewart passed away on September 6, 2022, at the age of 91 after a long and joyful life.
Unflappable and always kind to all those around her, she was a teacher whose constant lesson was compassion. Born on January 5, 1931, Maggie was the daughter of Dwinal Kerst and Margaret (Koen) Kerst. She grew up in Schroon Lake, N.Y. The Adirondacks were her playground where she would hike, boat, ski, and snowshoe. She attended college at Cortland College (now SUNY Cortland) where she received a degree in physical education. She taught physical education in Chatham and Schroon Lake. She married Robert Stewart on January 14, 1956.
Maggie was a long-time member of the North Queensbury Rescue Squad where she served as an Emergency Medical Technician. She was appointed by Governor Hugh Carey as a Commissioner of the Lake George Park Commission. She served on the Commission through the Carey, Mario Cuomo, and Pataki administrations. She also volunteered with several service organizations within her community. As a teacher for Literacy Volunteers, she taught reading to inmates at Great Meadow prison during the 1970's. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob in 2001 and her son, Mark 1978. Maggie is survived by four children: Brian (Bonnie) Stewart of Chateaugay Lake, N.Y.; Sean (Gail) Stewart of Glenmont, N.Y.; Marcy (Robert) Birch of Cooperstown, N.Y.; and Daniel (Wendy) Stewart of Queensbury, N.Y.; nine grandchildren: Sarah Stark; Laura Dumas; Samuel Stewart; Zachary Stewart; Jonathan Birch; Anthony Birch; Emily Stewart; Molly Stewart; Liam Stewart; three great-grandchildren, Ayanna Lee, Mila Stark, and Lincoln Stark; her siblings, Patricia (Stuart) MacRobbie and Anthony (Dorothy) Kerst; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Unflappable and always kind to all those around her, she was a teacher whose constant lesson was compassion. Born on January 5, 1931, Maggie was the daughter of Dwinal Kerst and Margaret (Koen) Kerst. She grew up in Schroon Lake, N.Y. The Adirondacks were her playground where she would hike, boat, ski, and snowshoe. She attended college at Cortland College (now SUNY Cortland) where she received a degree in physical education. She taught physical education in Chatham and Schroon Lake. She married Robert Stewart on January 14, 1956.
Maggie was a long-time member of the North Queensbury Rescue Squad where she served as an Emergency Medical Technician. She was appointed by Governor Hugh Carey as a Commissioner of the Lake George Park Commission. She served on the Commission through the Carey, Mario Cuomo, and Pataki administrations. She also volunteered with several service organizations within her community. As a teacher for Literacy Volunteers, she taught reading to inmates at Great Meadow prison during the 1970's. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob in 2001 and her son, Mark 1978. Maggie is survived by four children: Brian (Bonnie) Stewart of Chateaugay Lake, N.Y.; Sean (Gail) Stewart of Glenmont, N.Y.; Marcy (Robert) Birch of Cooperstown, N.Y.; and Daniel (Wendy) Stewart of Queensbury, N.Y.; nine grandchildren: Sarah Stark; Laura Dumas; Samuel Stewart; Zachary Stewart; Jonathan Birch; Anthony Birch; Emily Stewart; Molly Stewart; Liam Stewart; three great-grandchildren, Ayanna Lee, Mila Stark, and Lincoln Stark; her siblings, Patricia (Stuart) MacRobbie and Anthony (Dorothy) Kerst; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends.