July 14, 1927 - June 6, 2020
Una Stewart (nee Kristjanson), 92, passed away peacefully at Evergreen Baptist Care Home in White Rock on June 6, 2020 of natural causes.
She was born on a farm outside of Wynyard, Saskatchewan, on July 14, 1927, along with her twin sister, Svava, to Gudrun and Hakon Kristjanson.
She met her first husband, Adair Stewart, at the Western Producer in Saskatoon, where they both worked as journalists. They married on October 18, 1952 and had two daughters. They had a rich life living abroad in countries such as the Dominican Republic and England while Adair was in the Foreign Service. They were together until Adair passed away in 2000.
Una enjoyed her twilight years with her second husband, David Cline, whom she married on June 8, 2002. They shared a love of singing in the church choir and participating in the spiritual community at St. John's Presbyterian Church until David's passing in 2019.
Una spent her childhood on a farm near Big Quill Lake along with her twin, her older sister, and her three older brothers. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan in 1948.
Una's lifelong passion was music. Although she studied violin as a youngster, voice and piano were her forte. She was born with perfect pitch and had the ability to play piano by ear as well as read music. During high school and later university, she and her twin sang duets with an orchestra at local dance halls, at the University of Saskatchewan, and on the radio.
Una joined the college drama club where she performed in several operettas (including "The Merry Widow") in leading roles. At home with her children and husband, at family reunions, and at gatherings with friends, Una was often at the keyboard accompanying others and singing along.
Known for her intellect, Una was an avid reader and writer. Among her accomplishments as a writer, Una was the Associate Women's Editor at the Western Producer, and later in life, she created a novel writing course that she taught at Texas A & I University.
Una also loved sewing, gardening, and discussing world events. She was a loving mother to her two daughters and remained close to them even though they lived many miles apart much of the time. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the many pets she loved over the years.
Una is survived by her daughters Catherine Stewart (David Whelan) of Chile and White Rock, and Heather Stewart Jorden (Joe Jorden) of Los Angeles,her twin sister, Svava Seymour, her five step-children, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren, and nine nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date yet to be determined.