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Deryn Jane Stewart, born July 13, 1943 made her journey to heaven May 2, 2021 at the age of 77 after fighting a battle with blood cancer. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA, Deryn acquired a love of horses at an early age, having her 1st horse at age 12. In CANADA she became a very good barrel racer as well as competing in other events.
Her love of horses would lead her to marry H.E. “Slim” Burling who was racing horses as well as competing in Rodeo’s. They had a baby girl, Shannon in 1964 and then moved to the United States in 1965. Deryn and Slim worked for George and Thelma Self Race Horse Farm and Deryn began a career at Conoco. In 1965 Deryn started working in the secretarial pool at Conoco with many women in one room with rows of typewriters. She worked very hard and was promoted to Executive Secretary in Research and Development. Her drive and initiative didn’t go unnoticed as she continued to promote within the company, retiring in 1999 as an Analyst. During this time, in 1983 she also became a naturalized U.S. Citizen. Her 1st husband, Slim, passed away in 1984.
Deryn became very active in the Church and met Paul Stewart. They would find they had many like interests and even a shared path through the horses dating back to the days of Hatfield Race Track in Ponca City. Deryn and Paul married December 25th, 1985 in a private ceremony in Colorado. Both Deryn and Paul serve St Paul's United Methodist in many capacities including teaching Sunday school. Deryn became a certified Ombudsman, she would visit all the local nursing homes and speak to residents and listen for their best interests. Together Deryn and Paul continued to grow and foster their love for each other and their love of horses and the pursuit of excellence in the sport of horses, most always with a terrier dog or two in tow.
She accomplished many goals and made greatness out of a few horses others thought could not achieve greatness. She was the first person to compete at a recognized U. S. Dressage Federation FEI Test in Oklahoma and was instrumental in starting Oklahoma Dressage Society as a charter member. Dressage was a passion, too many accomplishments to list, medals, and Year End Region 9 awards. Her most prestigious award would be the coveted U. S. Dressage Federation Gold Medal riding Grand Prix.
Deryn and Paul also shared their passion for horses by competing in Combined driving events (a trifecta of Cross Country Course with hazards, a cones competition, and dressage, all with cart) with several different pairs of horses and a pair of welsh ponies. They won awards at the advanced level in Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, California and were selected to compete at the World Single Horse Championship in New Jersey (cancelled by the west Nile virus).
Deryn is preceded in death by her parents Maurice Nathaniel Bradstock and Edith Constance (Brownlee) Bradstock and H.E. “Slim” Burling.
She is survived by husband Paul Douglas Stewart, daughter Shannon Lyn Hampton and husband Tom, three grandchildren, C. Denise Poindexter and boyfriend David DeBoard who have great grandchildren Buddy Poindexter and Gunner DeBoard, Cindy Lyn Yinger and husband David who have great grandchildren Anna, Matthew and Natalie, and James Carl Danielson III and wife Sarah. She is also survived by two sisters in CANADA, Sally Montieth and husband Bill and Shannon Patershuck and husband Bob as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed by family and friends, neighbors, church family, past work associates, and considered a huge loss to the horse community.
Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Ponca City at 11am on Tuesday May 18, 2021. If you would like to make a contribution in Deryn’s memory, please consider one of the following organization; Karman Legacy Hospice of Stillwater 1311 South Western Road Stillwater, Ok 74074 or Central Plains Dressage Society Valley View 5417 York Rd. 56 Street Stillwater, Ok 74074.
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