A Memorial Tribute to Frank Stewart
Updated: Oct 8
Frank Stewart will be remembered as one of the most dedicated parents Gill Children’s Services has had the pleasure of serving. “Our dad was relentless about making sure we had every opportunity possible,” his twin daughters Whitney and Brittney reflected. “From the time we were young, he was always looking for programs, resources, and experiences that could open doors for us, and then pushing us to make the most of them.”
In 2001, Frank’s daughters needed braces, but the cost was out of reach. “Our dad made countless sacrifices to be present for us. He worked nights so he could take us to school, showed up with lunch well into our high school years, and made sure we had support.”
Determined to get his daughters the care they needed, Frank found Gill Children’s Services, and the girls received their orthodontic treatment.
Frank stayed connected with Gill for more than two decades. Our staff fondly remembers answering the phone and hearing, “It’s Frank!” because no other introduction was needed. Brittney and Whitney said, “He could make a stranger laugh, make someone feel seen, or turn an ordinary moment into something memorable.”
Frank took great pride in his daughters’ accomplishments. Dr. Whitney Stewart and Brittney Stewart both currently reside in Washington, D.C., with their partners. Brittney and Whitney earned their bachelor’s degrees from the University of Southern California and their master’s degrees from Columbia University. Whitney earned her Ph.D. and has spent the past 12 years working in the federal government. She currently serves as a professor within the Department of Defense. Brittney spent eight years as a U.S. diplomat, serving in India, Thailand, and Pakistan. She now owns a consulting company that helps small businesses, local governments, and nonprofit organizations pursue digital transformation. She is currently pursuing her third graduate degree, a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Frank married his daughters’ mother two years ago and spent his final years traveling with her. After flying for the first time in 2014, he developed a passion for travel and making new friends. His adventures took him across the United States and to Mexico, Canada, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland.
"Our dad used to say, 'Why not make someone laugh? Why not give a compliment? Why not be kind?' That outlook shaped both of us, and we try to carry it forward by moving through the world with the same sense of positivity and generosity.
One of the clearest examples of his impact came after he passed, when the hospital where he worked held a memorial in his honor. Even the CEO and COO attended, despite never having met him, because they had heard how much he had changed the culture of the workplace for the better. He was known across the hospital because he treated everyone with the same warmth and respect, regardless of their role. He spent his final five years working in environmental services, and while the work was demanding, he took great pride in knowing he was helping make the hospital cleaner and safer for patients. That was who he was—someone who believed every person and every contribution mattered.
Frank will be fondly remembered for his charisma, passion, and generous heart. “As a father with big dreams for his twins, our dad deeply appreciated organizations like Gill because they gave families the tools and support to help those dreams become possible,” his daughters said.
His legacy lives on through the lives he shaped, the dreams he championed, and the love he shared so generously.
