Janice Morford "Jan" Stewart

Obituary of Janice Morford Stewart

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Janice (Jan) Ann Morford Stewart, born on May 9, 1936, in Saginaw to Richard and Mary Morford, had the privilege of living a life filled with love, God and family. She entered into eternal rest on Thursday, November 20, 2025. If you Google the word 'motion' you are likely to find an image of Jan. The epitome of action and movement, her Irish blood gave her the toughness to thrive and the heart to care.

Growing up in Saginaw with her brothers Richard (Dick), Robert (Bob) and sister Barb she attended Arthur Hill High School. There she made many lifelong friends and was always instrumental in organizing their class reunions, making sure they all stayed in touch.

Married to George W Stewart III on September 8, 1956, they had four children: George IV, Lynda, Jody and Mary who presented them with 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Just celebrating their 69th wedding anniversary is a reminder of their love and commitment to each other.

Jan's devotion to the Catholic Church served as a family foundation. As a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, she became a lecturer and Eucharistic minister, which was a cornerstone to her strength and faith. Jan was also an associate of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters.

A successful businesswoman, Jan became a real estate agent and then founded her own venture, the Stewart Appraisal Company. In this male dominated profession, she earned the trust and respect of her clients and the greater real estate market. Because of her business experience, Jan was 'computer savvy' long before her peers.

Jan loved everything Spartan! As a young mother she decided to continue her education at Michigan State and took her four children (under the age of 9) to live in married housing on campus. She particularly liked Spartan basketball, and although at times critical of Tom Izzo, she was a diehard fan and never missed watching a game.

Jan was an avid tennis player, and her diverse interests included bridge, gardening, self-education, travel and sports. She was a life-learner and would engage family and friends in conversations about current events, the stock market and what was happening in their lives.

Jan's talent for multi-tasking can be compared to that of the Ringmaster at a Barnum and Bailey's circus. During the summer, one would only have to visit the family cottage on Crooked Lake to find out that if the 'Stewart kids' were present, then you could easily run into 20 or more family members. It was the perfect combination of controlled chaos, water sports, sailing, art projects, fishing, Petoskey stone hunting, card games, laughing, cooking and grandma making sure everything was running on time. There was always a version of a sit-down dinner!

Her grandchildren will fondly remember picking strawberries and raspberries, and making chocolate chip cookies and jam with their grandmother. Jan's friends and members of the community will remember her beautiful peony bouquets from her garden that she personally delivered every June.

She will be missed and remembered by family and friends as a woman who left no (Petoskey) stone unturned.

Family and friends will gather on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A Vigil Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Visitation will continue at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

A Funeral Liturgy to celebrate Jan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 5376 State St., Saginaw, MI 48603. Rev. Fr. Richard A. Bokinskie and Rev. Fr. Steven Gavit will co-officiate with entombment to follow at Chapel Hill Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Mustard Seed Shelter, https://themustardseedshelter.org/ or the Emmaus House of Saginaw, https://www.emmaushousesaginaw.com

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