Elizabeth Marguerite Steward was born in Madoc, Ontario, on August19, 1894, one of seven children born to John Stafford Stewart and Mary Elizabeth Burns.
Before entering, Elizabeth Marguerite had Grade X education and studied millinery.
On August 15, 1914, she entered the House of Providence; received the Holy Habit on June 10, 1915; pronounced her First Vows on December 12, 1916, taking the name of Sister Mary Demetria; and made Final Profession on January 5, 1920.
Sister Mary Demetria trained as a nurse at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital, Brockville, Ont., from 1918 – 1921 and after graduation, remained working at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in the Operating Room and as Night Supervisor until 1924. Her career as a nurse also consisted of the following placements:
During the testimony of her life, the sisters and her relatives related that Sister Mary Demetria was a very devout and prayerful person; she cared for others, inspired confidence and gave generously of herself; sister, somehow, made you feel that everything was going to be alright; she was a woman of wisdom, compassion, understanding, dedicated service, and open to changes; and she had a great sense of humor and loved to dress up and play jokes on others.
She always kept in close touch with her relatives and for them she was a very special person. They looked forward to visiting with her and looked to her for advice when necessary.