Mary Kathryn Stuart

Kathy Stuart passed from this life on November 3, 2023, having suffered from early onset dementia. She was born Mary Kathryn McLaughlin on April 13, 1957, the daughter of Dr. Robert S. and Jennie McLaughlin.  Kathy attended Shawnee public schools where she was active in Tri-Hi-Y, dance, and a varsity cheerleader.  Kathy attended Oklahoma State University in 1975 where she became a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.  In 1977 she married Jim Stuart and transferred to the University of Tulsa, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.  They returned to Shawnee in 1979 where Kathy began her career as an elementary school teacher.  She later helped start the Oklahoma Parents as Teachers program through Shawnee public schools, teaching parenting skills to teen moms for over 20 years.  Kathy was active in the Shawnee community, through Junior Service League, Alpha Mothers Club, Panhellenic, PEO, and her daughters’ many school activities. She cherished her time with friends at dinner club. She was one of the first women Deacons at First Baptist Church, Shawnee and for years helped teach a young marrieds class and worked in children’s extended session.  

Kathy was a devoted wife, mother to her daughters, and Nana to her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Jim Stuart, and her three daughters, Emily Thompson (Matt) of Oklahoma City, Rachel Schones (Nicholas) of Oklahoma City, and Sarah Rader (David) of Ft. Worth, Texas. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Mack Thompson and Mary Stuart Thompson, Warren Rader and Betty Rader, and Xoey Schones. She left two siblings, sister Terri Allen (Jay) of Rogers, Arkansas, and brother Dr. Clay McLaughlin (Susan) of Shawnee. 

A memorial ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023 at Heritage Church, 10^th and Union, in Shawnee, under the direction of Walker Funeral & Cremation Service.

A sincere thanks for the care given by Choice Hospice Shawnee and Dr. Scott Stewart.

Donations in Kathy’s memory can be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, 2700 Horizon Drive, Ste. 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406.