Monica Bishara

Monica Stewart Bishara, 74, of Baton Rouge, passed away on August 10, 2023.

Monica was born in San Antonio, Texas to Mary Louise and Lt. Colonel Donald Stewart.  She was the first of five children.  While Monica considered San Antonio to be her hometown, her family also lived in France, Germany, Oklahoma, and New York due to her father's military career. 

Monica was an extraordinary and gifted artist, even from a young age.  Her parents recognized her talents and started her art lessons when she was a little girl while they were living in France.  She continued to develop her talents and grow her skills throughout her entire life.

Monica graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and Art.  She then earned a Master of Arts degree in French from Tulane University in 1974.  That is where she met the love of her life, James “Jim” Johannes Bishara.  She quickly decided that she was going to marry Jim and eventually he figured it out as well.  They married in 1975 and settled down in Metairie, LA where they had and raised two children, James and Elizabeth. 

Monica retired after teaching art for 20 years at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans.  She and Jim moved to Baton Rouge where she worked out of her studio.  She was a signature member of the Louisiana Watercolor Society and served as their president.  Monica also served on the boards of the Baton Rouge Art League, the Associated Women in the Arts and the National League of American Pen Women, and she volunteered with Operation Mainstream to teach reading to adults.

Monica was drawn to luminous, transparent colors which were perfect for describing the warm southern light of her Louisiana home.  Her award-winning paintings hang in many private and corporate collections.  Most recently, her watercolor "Peace, Love and Roses" won the Purchase Award at the Baton Rouge Art League Annual Exhibition in April and will be part of their permanent collection of Louisiana artists at the LA State Archives.

Monica was preceded in death by her father, Lt. Colonel Donald Stewart.

Monica is survived by Jim, her husband of 48 years; her son, James Andrew Bishara and his wife Dana Bishara; her daughter, Elizabeth Bishara Windust and her husband Phil Windust; brothers, Robert Donald Stewart and David Anthony Stewart; sisters, Kathleen Stewart Herrera and Barbara Stewart; mother, Mary Louise Stewart; and grandchildren, Marisol Bishara, Cosette Bishara, Connor Windust, and Sebastian Windust.

Services will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at St. George Catholic Church, 7808 St. George Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809.  Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. with the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m, and reception to follow at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Louisiana Watercolor Society and Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge in Monica's name.

The family of Monica wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Woman's Hospital and The Hospice of Baton Rouge.