Gloria Jean Stewart, "Cookie", passed away unexpectedly on June 12, 2021 from complications brought on by her ongoing health issues that she bravely fought for several years.

Cookie was born on May 5, 1955 in Akron, Ohio, to the late Walter and Mildred (nee French) McDonald.

She grew up in Copley, Ohio where she graduated from Copley High School in 1973. She worked throughout the years at Akron General Medical Center as a unit clerk and the YMCA in childcare.

Cookie will be reunited once again with her parents Walter and Mildred; her brother, Larry McDonald; and her brother-in-law, who was one of her best friends, Larry Knafel.

She was loved and will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 48 years, Kenneth M. Stewart, "Ken", whom she married on November 13, 1973; her daughters, Michele Stewart "Shelley" and Jennifer Stewart "Jen"; and her granddaughters, Mackenzie, Camryn, and Rylie Tarle. Cookie was “Nah Nah” to them. She called her granddaughters her angels and they were her world. She loved them “lots and lots”.

Cookie is also survived by her siblings, Walt (CeCe) McDonald and Grace Knafel; her niece and nephews, Kelli Huff, Ronnie and Ryan Knafel, Larry McDonald, and their families; her special friend Loretta Kuhl; and a host of other family and friends that mourn her loss. She also had a special bond with her great-niece, Olivia Dambra.

Cookie loved her family and spending time with them. Seeing Shelley and her girls and watching her “programs” with Ken and Jen were her most favorite things. She used to travel a lot with Ken before her health issues got too bad. She loved going to the beach and casinos.

Cookie will forever be in her family’s hearts. “Life has to end, Love does not”.

Family and friends may visit on Thursday, June 17, 2021 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 North Canton Road, Akron.

The graveside committal service will be private on Friday at Holy Cross Cemetery, Akron.