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Elizabeth Jane ‘BJ’ Peirce Stewart

NORTH CANAAN — Elizabeth Jane “BJ” Peirce Stewart of Arlington, Va., formerly of North Canaan, Conn., and Richmond, Va., died Jan. 22, 2015.  

She was predeceased by her son, Lee, and is survived by her daughters, Suzanne Lyon of Ashland, Va., and Sarah Schweitzer and her husband, Martin, of Arlington; seven grandchildren, Brandon Stewart and his wife, Thanu, Megan Stewart, Jonathon Lyon, Sgt. Elizabeth Lyon, U.S. Army, Sgt. Michael Schweitzer, U.S. Army, Connor Schweitzer and Clare Schweitzer; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lois Ann Lynch of North Canaan and Ruth Adotte of East Canaan; three nieces, Naomi Lynch of Tolland, Conn., Elizabeth Adam  and her husband, Bill, of Newtown, Conn., and Jennifer Ferry and her husband, Michael, of Wakefield, R.I.; four great-nephews and a great-niece. She will be greatly missed by her close friends Sandy Cibula and Ellen Hargrave and her beloved companion and granddog, Bunny.  

BJ had many friends and coworkers who loved her. A graduate of Wheaton College and the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program, she was a devoted physical therapist whose most rewarding memories included working with wounded Vietnam veterans at McGuire VA Medical Center.   

She later worked in home health care and nursing home care, continuing to volunteer as a physical therapist after retirement.  

She was an active member of her church, Bon Air Baptist, and former member and volunteer of Branches Baptist Church. 

She was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, neighbor and friend.  She passionately enjoyed her work, church, friends, travel and family and was a fabulous cook and beautiful pianist. She lived her life with enthusiasm and adventure, always greeting others with a wave and a smile.  Wherever she went, she spread joy and made others smile. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31, at noon at the North Canaan Congregational Church in East Canaan.  

Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home in North Canaan.

Lakeville Journal

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