Stuart Kent Obituary

NORTH STONINGTON - The Rev. Stuart M. Kent died peacefully on May 13, 2025, after a 4-year struggle with Lewy Body dementia. Born on D Day 1944 in Westerly RI to George L. and Edwina Matthews Kent, Stuart earned his BA from the University of Connecticut and his M Div. from the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

After graduation he served as curate to St. Mary's Portsmouth RI and as rector, St. Peter's & St. Andrew's Church, Providence RI. When his wife graduated from law school he impulsively told her to 'take the best job you are offered, wherever.' He then followed her to Dallas TX, living there for 25 years, serving at several Episcopal Churches and retiring from St. David's, Garland TX. During his tenure he inspired and managed the design-build of St. Anne's DeSoto. To support its design as an English country church he bought and transported 250 tons of stone from old Arkansas farm walls under a contract signed on the hood of a car. Living in downtown Dallas he also fed, rescued, and sometimes adopted a score of feral cats, to the amusement and sometimes annoyance of the neighbors.

Never satisfied with doing one thing at a time, Stuart also operated both a newsstand and an art gallery in the Biltmore Plaza Providence RI for several years. While in Texas, Stuart traveled the U.S. with a Japanese friend who was buying Japanese antiques to return to Japan and traveled extensively in China with friend RB Caldwell as they collected modern Chinese paintings.

Stuart is survived by his wife Paula 'Susie' Kent, his mother-in-law Jean McNutt, his brother and sister-in law George and Lynn Kent, nephews and nieces Susan Kent Reed (and husband Ken), Jennifer Kent, Peter Kent (and wife Suzette) and David Kent, and loving cat Wesley Anne.

His family is profoundly grateful for the compassionate and exceptional care he received from the home caregivers of Right at Home, and then from the Norwich Masonicare Hospice and the Saybrook Apple Rehab staffs in his final days.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Church, Westerly RI, at 11 AM on June 6, 2025. In lieu of flowers donations could be made to the George Kent Endowment Fund of Christ Church, 7 Elm Street, Westerly RI 02891. The Dinoto Funeral Home is assisting the family.