'Nothing old about her': Mary Stewart celebrates turning 100

When you're about to turn 100 years old, maybe you too can have a series of birthday celebrations.Mary Stewart had at least her second birthday party Monday at the Laning-Young Research Center of the Firelands Historical Society. She will turn 100 on Dec. 21.On Sunday, St. Paul Episcopal Church honored Stewart during the 10:30 a.m. service. Her family plans a birthday celebration Dec. 23 at The Carriage House.Born in Cleveland in 1917 to Sheldon and Mildred Laning, Mary Lou Laning's family moved to Norwalk in 1929. Her grandfather, J.F. Laning, was the publisher of the Law Abstract Publishing Co."At the time it was in Cleveland," said Mary Stewart, whose father eventually took over the company due her grandfather's old age. "My father took it over and moved it to Norwalk."After her father died, Stewart ran Law Abstract Publishing. She said her dad had approached her, asking her "if I minded.""I needed a job because I had four kids and a sick husband," Stewart added.Mary Lou Laning, who graduated from Norwalk High School in 1934, married John Stewart in 1951. The couple had four children: Martha, John, Laura and the late Mary Connolly. John Stewart died in 1994."After my husband died, I became involved in all these organizations. The one I've spent the most time with is the (Firelands) Historical Society," Mary Stewart said.After curator Jim Overhaus died, Stewart said she "would go up in the attic and find things that should be on display."Norwalk resident Molly Price Downey is an admitted "old family friend" of Stewart's. Downey's late mother, Anne Price, knew Stewart most of her life."Their back yards bumped each other," Downey said. "She (Mary) is even-tempered, but always knows the right thing to say."In August, Stewart, at the age of 99, played piano at St. Paul Episcopal Church."My mother was a pianist who played for silent movies. … She taught me before I was in first grade," she said.A video of Stewart performing played silently during her recent birthday celebration."The only thing I play now is hymns because I don't know where my (other) music is," she said.Laurel Rehnborg plays dartball with Stewart every Wednesday afternoon at either The Carriage House or Senior Eenrichment Services. Dartball, a SES activity, is a form of baseball which is played underhanded."It's so much fun," said Rehnborg, who noted Stewart is competitive. "We joke around with each other. It's a hoot."Stewart was the first female reporter to cover the Cleveland Indians in 1948 — the season they won the World Series. It was an assignment her managing editor gave her that day when she came to work at the Cleveland News.Looking back on the experience, she said "I don't think it had any historical importance," but was done "to sell papers."DeEtte Zimmerman said she has known Stewart "since her youngest daughter was in junior high." Zimmerman said Stewart is known for her organizational skills, education and intellect."There's nothing old about her. You learn something from her," Zimmerman said. "I always tell Mary, 'When I grow up, I want to be just like (you).'"Norwalk resident Grace Hutchison (right) gestures while talking to her cousin, Mary Stewart, during Stewart's 100th birthday party at the Laning-Young Research Center of the Firelands Historical Society. Stewart's mother and Hutchison's grandmother are first cousins. Molly Price Downey (right), of Norwalk, smiles as she chats with her neighbor Mary Stewart, a long-time friend of her late mother, Anne. The Firelands Historical Society in Norwalk held a 100th birthday party for Stewart at the Laning-Young Research Center on Monday afternoon. She will be 100 years old Dec. 21.Mary Stewart (far right) holds court during her birthday party Monday afternoon at the Laning-Young Research Center of the Firelands Historical Society in Norwalk. From left are: Laurel Rehnborg, Chris Hipp, Mary Caribin (standing), Chris Harlan, Matt Burr and Anna Bristol. Stewart will turn 100 on Dec. 21.Mary Stewart, then Mary Lou Laning, reacts while covering the Cleveland Indians in 1948. She sat in the box seats while covering the game and even got a chance to sit with team owner Bill Veeck.