Obituary of Laura P. Stewart

Laura P. Stewart, age 95 of Iowa City died Monday, November 21, 2022, at Windmill Manor Care Center in Coralville. Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9am Saturday until services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to Stead Family Children’s Hospital, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. To share a thought, memory or condolence with her family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com. Laura Pauline Bailey was born February 17, 1927, in Ohio, the daughter of Ray S. and Evie L. (Markham) Bailey. She attended schools in Ridgeway, Ohio graduating from Ridgeway High School. She then attended and graduated from St. Elizabeth Nursing College in Dayton, Ohio where she received her nursing degree. She proudly served her country as a nurse cadet during WW II. Laura was united in marriage to Robert L. Stewart on January 15, 1948, in Toledo, Ohio. The couple lived in Toledo where Robert was employed by Owens Brush Company. They moved to Atlanta for a couple of years, returning to Toledo before relocating to Iowa City in 1962 where he continued with Owens Brush Company in management until his retirement in 1985. Laura not only took care of their two children as they grew up, but in Toledo she worked in nursing at Mercy Hospital, then when the family moved to Iowa City, she continued in nursing at the DeGowin Blood Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics for many years. Laura’s passion was caring for others, nursing was a natural way to do this. She enjoyed her many years at the hospital, her many bridge clubs over the years, her time with neighbors and friends in the community. Her family includes her two children, Lisa Lynes (Erick), and Robert Stewart (Rachelle); 4 grandchildren, Victor Bruno, Sarah Stewart, Natalie Stewart and Evelyn Stewart; and one great-grandson, Maxim Bruno, Brother in-law Donald Amsden and her precious nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert; and siblings, Ledson Bailey, Virginia Cobb, Ivah Smith, Mary Lou Goodwin, Silas Bailey and two that died in infancy John and Margaret. Laura’s family would like to thank Dr. Christina Charis-Donelson, Kara Frantz, the staff at Keystone Place at Forevergreen, Windmill Manor of Coralville, and Avalon Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care of Laura over this time, your love and sincere compassion will always be cherished for our mom and grandmother.