[Franz Neumeier]

MARY GREENE STEWART – RIVERBOAT FAMILY

Mary Greene Stewart died peacefully at her riverfront farm in California, KY March 30, 2009. Mary was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on February 26, 1933 to parents Capt. Tom Greene and Letha C. Greene.

Mary lived the first two years of her life on the steamboat TOM GREENE. Mary’s life was a childhood fantasy… traveling the Ohio River on the TOM GREENE, the CHRIS GREENE, the GORDON C. GREENE and finally on the DELTA QUEEN. She had a youth that Mark Twain would have envied.

After she graduated from college she worked on the DELTA QUEEN, the steamboat which her father purchased and brought via the Panama Canal to Cincinnati from Stockton, California. As a crewmember, she served as Social Director, Assistant Purser, Shore-stop tour organizer, Gift Shop manager and Vocalist. In 1964, she met fellow crewmember Richard Stewart, who was Assistant Purser. They were married the following year. They had one son, Joel Michael Stewart.

Mary graduated from Withrow High School. She attended Wooster Presbyterian College and graduated from University of Cincinnati in 1951. She was selected as a scholar into the Phi Beta Kappa Society, considered the most prestigious college honor society in the United States.

In downtown Cincinnati, Mary and her husband owned the Captive Rainbow Stained Glass Studio. Mary managed the business while Richard concentrated his efforts in the integrated design, building and restoration of stained glass projects. In 1979 their company completely removed and faithfully restored and reinstalled the beautiful stained glass rotunda of the historic Carnegie Arts Center at 1028 Scott Boulevard in Covington, KY.

In 1988 Mary and her husband purchased a 32 acre farm on the Ohio River in California, KY. Along with their son Joel, they piece-by-piece dismantled an antebellum log house in Falmouth, KY and moved it onto their farm. There it was reassembled with all modern amenities. This was Mary’s home for 21 years.

For 50 years Mary was an active member in several local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Mary’s free time while the DELTA QUEEN was moored in various river towns was devoted to house-to-house witnessing or attending meeting at the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Mary is survived by her husband, Richard, son Joel Michael and five grandchildren: Harlequin, Morpheus, Blaise, Roman and Sterling. Also surviving Mary are brother's Gordon C. Greene, Tom Greene II and sister Letha Jane Greene.


A Memorial will be held on Friday April 3rd 6:00PM. Visitation begins at 4:30PM for those wishing to express condolences to the family.

Taylor Mill Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
5433 Taylor Mill Rd
Taylor Mill, KY 41015

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Hospice of the Bluegrass, 7388 Turfway Rd., Florence, KY 41042.


(The obituary has been written by Richard Stewart. I'm posting it on his behalf. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary as well as with Richard and family.)

Please see also: Mary Greene Stewart Memorial