lucy stewart born 1880s died 1913

Jamaica Times, June 21, 1913, page 5

LUCY IMOGENE STEWART.
HER LIFE IN AFRICA. MEMOIR AND APPRECIATION.
BY THE REV. GEORGE T. BASDEN
M. A., F.R.G.S.
(Specially Contributed to The Jamaica Times.)

On the morning of Friday October 7th., 1910 it fell to my lot, as Acting Secretary, to welcome Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Stewart to the C. M. S. Niger Missions and I count it as one of the privileges of my life to have been the one to receive them into the fellowship of the Gospel in the IBO Country. They had reached Onitsha on the stern-wheeler "Ndoni" late the previous evening. After disembarking they proceeded to the head-quarters of the Mission and, for a few days I had the pleasure of their company as my guests.

Mr. Stewart had for several years laboured in the Brass District of the C.M.S., prior to returning to Jamaica for furlough. Later the work at Brass was transferred to the Niger Delta Pastorate and Mr. Stewart, therefore, came to the lbo Section of the Mission on his return from furlough. With him came Lucy, his wife, (nee Drysdale) then a bride of but a few weeks.
One scarcely thinks that the conditions and prospects could have appeared brighter for a young couple. They were both in sound health and keen to enter upon their new sphere of service. They were full of hope, Mrs. Stewart particularly bright. She, indeed, retained a wonderfully cheerful spirit at all times and very seldom did the clouds of despondency fall upon her. A more uniformly happy disposition it would be very difficult to discover.
From Onitsha they moved on to Awka which was to be their appointed home in Africa. For a little over two years everything went well. A daughter was born to them in September 22, 1911 and their cup of joy was full. In December of that year I returned from furlough to resume the charge of the Training College. Mr. and Mrs. Llewellyn, also members of the College Staff, were just leaving for Jamaica, and Mr. Stewart became my right hand man in the work of the College and District.
From the time of my return from furlough I lived in the closest association with Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, and this constitutes the reason why I feel irnpelled to write this appreciation of the latter. She was always bright, always eager, ready at any moment to do her utmost to forward the work in these parts, and there was no time of pressure in which her assistance was not forthcoming. She often helped in the Bookshop; she had sewing classes for the girls, and a class for the women attending the Church in the Town. She was, I venture to think the most appreciated woman in Awka during her residence here and she was beloved by all. The natives looked up to her and they loved her, especially the younger folk; they loved her, spontaneously, feeling that she was ever ready to assist and befriend them.
And so the days passed, full of work but very happy days until, suddenly, disease made its blighting appearance. This rnanifested itself by a slight swelling of the feet towards the end of February. As the doctor had been consulted by her but a short time previously, and she seemed to be in her normal state of health, no great significance was attached to this symptom for a week or two, especially as we knew the doctor would be visiting Awka at an early date. Altogether there was nothing which gave rise to any special anxiety on her account. The doctor came, as a matter of fact, on March 14th and immediately detected the insidious features of Bright’s Disease. Without a moment’s delay she was placed under proper treatment. To make this more sure, and to secure sound nursing, she was removed to the Mission Hospital at Iyi-Enu, where she spent the remainder of her days under the unremitting care of Dr. and Mrs. Druitt.