Barbara Dean Stewart

Barbara Stewart Obituary

Stewart, Barbara Dean

Brighton: August 5, 2011. Passed away peacefully at the Brightonian Nursing Home under loving family and staff care, 1 month shy of her 70th birthday. Fairport native, born in Rochester September 17, 1941. In July 2009, Barbara survived a massive left brain stroke. August 2010 she was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, which she fought for a year, enjoying vanilla ice cream and Starbuck's Double-shot coffee until the very last days. She grew up on 11 W. Church St. in Fairport, NY with her parents, Dr. George Adgate Dean, town doctor, and Louise Griswold Dean, community leader, now both deceased. Survived by her daughter, Whitney Stewart, chef and food stylist for TV, who lives in CT. Whitney and Barbara were close and supported each other unconditionally: they were the first mother-daughter team to attend Yale. Also survived by older brother, Dr. Andrew Dean, nephew Jeff Dean; grandson, James Spreuwenberg-Stewart, and cousins, John Marsh, Nathalie Dean and Victoria Dean. Barbara was "outstanding in her fields:" writing, music, (famous kazooist), history and track. She authored The Complete How To Kazoo. Leader and Kazoo Keeper of 5-person quartet Kazoophony, she became a professional, classical kazooist after studying at the Eastman School of Music (formerly 2nd flutist in the RPO). She will be missed by many; Barbara was an adorable mother, a thoughtful friend (who habitually sent out amusing cards), and previously an energetic, entertaining storyteller who kept us engaged in her life and works. She found the most joy in her writing and in music, keeping us all "humming".

A Celebration of Barbara's life is scheduled for September 24th in Pittsford, NY. Interment was on August 8th at Oakwood Cemetery, Penfield, NY with a Private Service. To share memories please send to Whitney Stewart, P.O. Box 224, Cold Spring, NY 10516 or email [email protected]. For more info go to www.howtokazoo.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle on Aug. 14, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Stewart

10 Entries

Taylor & Kendall-Barbara's pet therapy friends

Ann Lacey

February 21, 2012

November 30, 2011

Over 30 years ago Barbara invited me and my wife to a reception at her home for Mstislav Rostropovich after his concert with the Rochester Philarmonic. She was a delightful, vibrant human being with many cultural interests. A true original! In the 90's ran into her in NYC. Think she was working with Tony Randall. Anyhow, she is gone too soon. My sympathy to all who loved her. Al Kuhn

Kazooperman

September 22, 2011

Farewell, Barbara. You were easily the most delightfully zany person I've known, and I treasure my memories of concerts, TV appearances and brunch in airports during your layovers. It was an honor and privilege to serve in my small way as Kazooperman. Thanks to your books and recordings, you leave a valuable legacy. The world is better for your presence but bereft without it.

Hal Sieling

September 10, 2011

Bon Voyage Barbara! Take a Kazoo with you so you can gather a band where you are. Keep smiling! And, keep the others smiling too.

September 9, 2011

I am so sorry to learn of Barbara's passing. We had such a memorable time planning for her to be our keynote speaker at the Horace Greeley Writers' Conference here in Poultney. We will always remember her and the love she had for this area. Many blessings, Linda Nye Knowton

September 8, 2011

Barbara was an Artist I represented for many years with the Kamimsky's. In addition to being a wonderful person with a marvelous sense of humor. She was as unsunkable as Molly Brown. She and her group performed at Lincoln Center, on the Tonight Show and numerous concert Halls thoughout North America. A wonderful lady who will be missed.

ARTHUR SHAFMAN, NYC

John Elberfeld

August 30, 2011

I first met Barbara as a parent of students I was teaching at Allendale Columbia School. Because I was interested in computers, and she was doing technical writing for Kodak about computers, we joined forces and worked together on many projects. Barbara provided the encouragement and business opportunities that helped me prosper in the fields of technical writing and desk top publishing - areas I never would have thought of entering without her guidance.

Every month or so I could count on a call from Barbara, even after I moved to the Albany area, asking for some tips to get around a computer problem. Before her stroke, she was working on a major project describing how her female ancestor helped force the British to back down during the Revolution - and I was happy to do some genealogy research for her.

Every time we hear a kazoo, we will remember Barbara and how she improved our lives.

August 23, 2011

I knew Mrs. Stewart for most of my life, ever since I met her daughter Whitney in first grade. She fed us, played with us, encouraged us, and made us laugh. She loved to entertain. My love to everyone who is missing this unique and special woman, especially Whitney.

Whitney Stewart

August 23, 2011

Please feel free to add any comments to this book! She was loved by many and I encourage you to add your stories.

August 16, 2011

My condolences

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