Obituary of Melissa Dawn Stewart

Melissa Dawn Stewart, Age 44 passed away on Friday, January 20th at Arborstone Enhanced Care Facility in Halifax, surrounded by much love and compassion. She was just 44 years young and fought a courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease for many years. Melissa grew up in Jeddore-Oyster Pond and did her schooling at Robert Jamieson Elementary School and Eastern Shore District High School. She was a young mother of three beautiful daughters who were her biggest pride and joy and she loved them beyond measure. Melissa made many friends at Arborstone during her years there. She became actively involved in the social and recreational activities, where she found her love of painting. Many of her paintings were hung with pride throughout her room. She enjoyed our visits to Flemming Park and the Public Gardens, and always looked forward to her Tim’s coffee. Melissa possessed and appreciated a good sense of humor, and even in her most difficult times would often find the resilience to chuckle at anything funny. She possessed a profound sense of gratitude to those around her who helped her and always spoke her appreciation and thanks. She was a kind and gentle soul with the will power and perseverance of a lion. She taught all who knew her and watched her difficult journey unfold, how to make the best of terrible circumstances and how precious every day is. She will forever be my biggest hero. Melissa is survived by her mother, Agnes Blakeney (Ogilvie); and step-father, Ward Blakeney of Jeddore-Oyster Pond; her three daughters, Paris and Ivy Burton of Dartmouth, and Alea (Evan) Garrett of Bedford; her sisters, Michelle Zareski (Bevis) of Porters Lake, Laura Bevis-Young (Larry Keizer) of Antigonish; her nieces, Samantha and Emma Zareski of Dartmouth; her nephew, Jacob Young of Ottawa; her brother, Doug Sievers (Jalaine) and family of Minnesota; and her step-sister, Susan Blakeney of Ottawa. She was predeceased by her birth father, David Stewart of Dartmouth, who also died of Huntington’s disease. Special thanks to the many friends she made at Arborstone Enhanced Care Facility in Halifax, including the residents, staff and special nurses who gave her their friendship, love, compassion, and support. A memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Melissa’s memory to the Huntington’s Society of Canada - Nova Scotia Chapter at the following website: www.huntingtonsociety.ca/donate or by calling 1-800-998-7398 ext. 121 to speak to HSC’s donations administrator. “Forever in our hearts you’ll stay. We will love you and remember you every single day”