Blossom J. Stewart

Blossom J. Stewart was born in Wheelock, N.D., on April 8, 1922, and passed away as a resident at Moorberg Cottage on the St. John's campus in Billings on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.

Blossom's father was a hydroelectric engineer and she and her family got to see a lot of the country as they moved frequently to various dam construction sites, including the dam at Fort Peck. In April 1944, she married the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Stewart. After the war ended, Blossom and Bob settled in Washington, D.C., where Bob worked as an FBI agent and Blossom served as executive assistant to U.S. Senator Tom Connolly of Texas. Ultimately, the FBI reassigned Bob and Blossom to Detroit, where Blossom was blessed with two children, Rick and Julie. In 1958, Blossom and Bob moved their young family to Missoula, where they lived an active life, deeply engaged in a variety of community activities. In 1987, Blossom and Bob moved to Billings to be near their daughter, Julie. Blossom was a talented seamstress, but her greatest gift was her passion for singing. Along with Bob, Rick and Julie, Blossom was a member of a family quartet known as "The Singing Stewarts," which performed regularly around Montana and was honored to be selected to perform before large audiences at many National Kiwanis conventions, including those held in Atlantic City and San Diego.

Blossom has now reunited with her loving husband of 71 years, Bob, who passed away in May 2015, and is survived by her son, Rick Stewart (Molly) of Tennessee; her daughter, Julie Stewart Bishop (Randy) of Billings; and four wonderful grandchildren, T.J. and Anna Grace Stewart and Travis and Hallie Bishop.

A private memorial is planned.