Ann Kathryn Woodrow Stewart

Ann Kathryn Woodrow Stewart, age 89, of Wilmington, DE, entered the loving embrace of God on January 17th, 2022.

Born in Wilmington in 1932, Ann was the daughter of the late A. Ralph and Rebecca Watkins Woodrow. She grew up in Woodcrest and attended Ursuline Academy. Ann spent her summers with her family at Hack’s Point Beach in Earleville, MD. She spent many happy summer days fishing with her father, crabbing and mushroom hunting with her grandfather and serving as a lifeguard.

After graduating, Ann went on to attend Goldy Beacom College and was employed by the DuPont Company, until she married. Ann met her future husband, Al Stewart, on a blind date for the Policemen’s Ball in the Gold Ball Room at the Hotel DuPont. They were married on May 12, 1956 and went on to spend 46 wonderful years of marriage together and raised a beautiful family. Ann devoted her time and energy to caring for her family and providing a loving home. After the children were grown, she worked part-time for Hercules.

With her husband, Ann enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit many interesting destinations across the U.S and abroad, visiting 26 states and 22 countries. Their international travels included the United Kingdom, Ireland, Russia, and the European continent, to name a few destinations. During their travels, Al and Ann developed a lasting friendship with Mary and Malcom Stone of Oxford Shire, England, which endures today. Ann’s favorite vacation spots were Dewey Beach and Lewes Beach Delaware, and Naples, Florida.

Al and Ann loved to walk for exercise and would walk regularly in their neighborhood, Winterbury Circle, before moving to Pike Creek. In the early 1990’s Al and Ann became avid “Mall Walkers” at the Christiana Mall. Meeting in the early morning with a group of people to walk in the mall. Ann continued to meet with the group, even when walking laps was not always possible. They both enjoyed the camaraderie of many friends there.

Ann dedicated her life to her family. She especially delighted in her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She took great joy in attending their various sporting activities and performances over many years. Ann looked forward to every opportunity to celebrate with her family, and she was passionate about hosting a family Christmas dinner every year. Ann was an avid reader who also enjoyed studying her family’s genealogy, crocheting, and watching her favorite cooking and adventure shows.

Ann cared for each person she met, and always carried herself with a kindness and spirit that made her loved and adored by everyone. She held many life-long friendships, such as her friend Marie Davis, who helped arrange her blind date with Al. She always remembered little things that were important to others, and of significance, and was quick to inquire about how they were doing.  Ann always considered the feelings and needs of others before her own. The world is a brighter place because of the light she shined.

Along with her parents, A. Ralph Woodrow (2001) and Rebecca A. Watkins Woodrow (1995), Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Stewart, Sr. (2002); her son, Albert Stewart, Jr. (1965); her granddaughter, Kaitlyn Leigh Mentz (2004); and her sisters, Betty Boulden (2014) and Marie Cahall (2018), and her step-grandson, Andrew Carlton (2021).

Ann is survived by her children, Ann Lynn Carlton (Les) of Earleville, MD, A. Douglas Stewart (Mandy) of Kennett Square, PA, Allison M. Mentz (Jimmy) of Bear, DE,  A. Christopher Stewart of Wilmington, DE; her brother, Albert Ralph Woodrow (Linda); her grandchildren, Edward A. Rhoades III, Tyler J. Mentz, Christen M. Franklin (Joe), Hunter R. Mentz, Aaron Maxwell Stewart, Anders Connor Stewart, Allison Lee Stewart; step-grandchildren, Michael Carlton and Megan Carlton, her five great grandchildren; and her two great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 29th, 2022 at Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808, where Ann’s family will receive friends and guests from 9:30-10:30AM. A funeral service will begin at 10:30AM. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720. Facemasks are preferred while in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Ann’s name to the Ronald McDonald House of DE, www.rmhde.org, 1901 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803; Mill Creek Fire & EMS, www.millcreekfireco.org, 3808 Kirkwood Hwy, Marshallton, DE 19808; or a charity of your choice.  

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