Stephen S. Jewett IV, 33

Stephen S. Jewett IV, 33

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Stephen Shannon Jewett IV, 33, of St. Paul, chose to end his life and was taken off of life support on Dec. 8, 2017.

Behind his beautiful smile, infectious laugh and huge brown eyes lay a silent, and oftentimes deadly illness. He had recently been diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression. What Stephen wasn't able to express has given voice to his loved ones. We feel strongly that we need to bring awareness and compassion to those who struggle with depression and anxiety, as it is affecting so many. We need to find a way to do a better job of diagnosing, treating and understanding this illness. The stigma needs to be addressed once and for all.

Our Stephen was born on March 15, 1984, in Laconia, New Hampshire. He attended the Lakeland School, the New Hampton School and became a walking encyclopedia of obscure scientific facts. There wasn’t an insect, bird or animal that he did not know about.

He spent many weekends at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul with his wife, Meadow. It came as no surprise to any of us when they chose the Como Zoo/Botanical gardens for their wedding venue. Stephen’s love of nature and animals were hardly secondary to his passion for fishing, camping, and quest for unique agates. When asked where his favorite fishing spot was his response would be, “Wherever there is water.”

Stephen’s sense of adventure led him to travel far and wide. His connection to nature was profound in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the rocky coast of Maine and many of Minnesota's outdoor spaces. His very quick wit and an extremely quirky sense of humor made us all laugh. Stephen was a quiet observer who cared deeply for people, and sought to help those less fortunate than him. Once you visited with Stephen, you would never forget him.

We are exceedingly fortunate because Stephen was an organ donor. As our family grieves our tragic loss, other families have gathered with loved ones preparing to receive the hope of restored health and life, because of Stephen’s decision to be an organ donor. His organs have been placed with six recipients and his tissues and bone marrow will help an additional 65 individuals. Our family owes a deep heartfelt gratitude to the medical team at Regions and Life Source organ donation program at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul. They caringly educated and guided us through the emotional devastation of ICU and the complex organ donation process.

Stephen is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Meadow (Ness) Jewett of Saint Paul; devoted mother, Ann (Hoey/Jewett) Dutile and her husband Peter of Belmont, New Hampshire; his sister, Abby Jewett, also of Belmont; his stepbrothers, Patrick Dutile, and Nick Dutile and wife Laura; his treasured grandmother, Mary B. Orton of Laconia, New Hampshire; aunts and uncles, Samantha M. Jewett and Brian A. Connelly of Gilford, New Hampshire, Ellen M. Jewett of Flamingo, Costa Rica, Kathy Lavoie of Plattsburgh, New York, Jane Kidder of Lakeport, New Hampshire; Lawrence Hoey of New Hampton, New Hampshire, William Hoey Belmont, New Hampshire, Peter and Laurie Hoey of Laconia, New Hampshire, and Sandra and Cliff Jarvis of Connecticut. He also leaves his in-laws, Ron and Wanda Ness, and brother in-law, Adam Ness of Benson; sister-in-law, Kari and her husband Joseph Glynn and their precious children Griffin, Harrison and Genevieve of Maple Grove. He shared his love, knowledge and energy so freely with his niece and nephews. Stephen was like a missing puzzle piece that fit into Meadow’s family right from the very first date.

Stephen was predeceased by his grandfathers, Stephen S. Jewett II, and Russell C. Orton; his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Hoey; his aunt, Ann Jewett-Steele; his father, Stephen S. Jewett, III; and his beloved dog, Zoey.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, Dec. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, New Hampshire, using the Carriage House entrance. Burial will follow in the family lot at Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia, in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Stephen to the Stephen S. Jewett Scholarship, c/o the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, 4 Country Club Road, Gilford, NH 03249.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.