Masters Swimmer Rose Steward Dies at 84

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 9. ROSE Steward, the Grande Dame of Masters swimming in Arizona, died Saturday of complications from a stroke that she suffered on June 27.

Rose was by no means the fastest Masters swimmer around — most often her competitors were out of the water and dried off by the time she hit the pads — but she was definitely among the feistiest and most dedicated.

Steward, who was an air evacuation flight nurse during World War II, began her competitive swimming career in 1973 at the age of 55. Several years later she took up biking, and in 1995 completed the 111-mile Tour de Tucson bike race.

At 68, despite a host of health problems, Steward added triathlon to her list of activities. By the time she was 80, Steward had competed in 69 triathlons.

A visitation is scheduled for 6:00 – 7:30 pm tomorrow at the Messinger Indian School Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Road, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 11, at 10:00 am at thr Franciscan Renewal, 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

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