Mary E. Stewart, 93, head of guidance for West Philadelphia High School.

IT WAS SOMETHING of a wrench when rheumatoid arthritis prevented Mary Stewart from the joys of digging in her backyard garden in Yeadon, Delaware County.

But miraculously, the garden didn't suffer.

"She marveled in the grace of God: When she lost the strength in her hands to dig, God gave her effortless beauty through the work of the birds and the bees," her family wrote.

In other words, nature took over and did a fine job.

Mary E. Stewart, retired head of the guidance department of West Philadelphia High School, a former pharmacist, child-care worker and devoted churchwoman, died April 13. She was 93.

Mary was born in Greenwood County, S.C., to Warren and Bessie Pyles. After moving to Philadelphia, she graduated from West Philadelphia High School. She went on to Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she studied pharmacology and received a bachelor of science degree.

She also met a fellow student, DeWitt C. Stewart, and they were married on March 23, 1946. She worked as a pharmacist early in her marriage, but became a full-time mother after her two daughters were born.

When her daughters reached school age, Mary decided to rejoin the workforce. Despite not having a degree in social work, she took a job as a case worker for Child Care Services in Media in the early 1960s.

In 1968, she returned to her alma mater, West Philadelphia High School, as a guidance counselor. She earned a master of education degree from Temple University in 1971, and was appointed head of the guidance department.

Mary was an active member of White Rock Baptist Church, where she sang on the choirs and taught church-school classes.

"Mrs. Mary Stewart will always be remembered by those of us who loved her as a loving wife and mother and devoted Christian," her family said.

Besides her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Patricia and Denise, and a brother.

Services: Memorial service tomorrow will be private.