Feb 3, 2019

Louise Heflin Stuart died peacefully in her sleep Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, at her home in Pacific Grove, Calif., at the age of 101.

Having lived in Illinois, New Mexico, Washington, D.C., Colorado and Pennsylvania, Louise called the Monterey Peninsula home for a period of eight decades, raising children and grandchildren in Carmel. She was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, volunteered at the Harrison Memorial Library, served with the League of Women Voters, and was a docent at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

Louise was born in Streator, Ill., to Paul Heflin and Florence Rothermel Heflin on April 5, 1917. She graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1934 and earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from Wells College in 1938. After college, Louise worked as staff to a Congressional subcommittee, investigating poverty and interstate migration. On Capitol Hill, she met her future husband, Arthur “Art” Stuart, whom she wed in 1941.

After Art’s death in 1968, Louise earned a Library Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh and began working at Citizens Library in Washington, Pa. She became the Director of the library, where she served until her retirement in 1984.

Louise moved to Carmel to spend her retirement years volunteering, reading voraciously, traveling the world, participating actively as a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church and working in her garden. She volunteered at Harrison Memorial Library, was a docent at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for 28 years, attended classes at Monterey Peninsula College, and was a member of the League of Women Voters. In 2014, she moved to Pacific Grove to join the Canterbury Woods community.

Louise is beloved by her many friends and family. She is survived by her sons, Paul (Joni), Hanson (Terry) and Daniel. Her daughter, Margaret “Margi,” died in 1997. Additional survivors include eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations in honor of Louise can be made to the Sister Anna Voss fund of the Point Lobos Foundation, 80 Garden Court, Suite 106, Monterey, CA 93940. Gifts to the Sister Anna Voss fund support the Point Lobos docent organization and school outreach programs, (https://www.pointlobos.org/get-involved/donate-point-lobos-foundation) or to a charity of your choice.