Helen Stewart

Helen Rodey Stewart, age 88, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on Friday, January 18, 2013. Helen was born in Montclair, New Jersey on April 2nd, 1924, the daughter of Bernard Shandon and Mildred (Halsey) Rodey. In her youth, she summered on Long Island, where she was the 11th generation of the founders of Southampton, New York. During the summer of 1942, after graduating from Montclair High School, she worked for Star Electric on an assembly line, wiring armatures for the war effort. She attended Mt. Holyoke College from 1942-1944, where she was fourth generation. She continued her education at New Jersey State Teacher's College and graduated later from the University of Kentucky, in 1962, where she was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta, the National Historical Honor Society. In 1946, she married Robert Judge Stewart, Jr., who had served as a Marine Corp dive-bomber pilot in the Pacific, during WWII. He preceded her in death in 1968. She held many volunteer positions during her life: Red Cross nurse's aide and blood bank coordinator, Great Book's Club leader, Friendly Visitor for the Courts, and in later years, served with Planned Parenthood. Helen worked as a substitute teacher for both the Portage, Michigan and Weston, Connecticut Public School Systems. She was also a social worker and Recipient Rights representative at the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital, formally retiring in 1984. She is survived by three children and their spouses: Robert C. (Mary) Stewart of Winfield, Illinois; Charlotte S. (Gary) McKee of Hastings, Michigan; and Winifred S. (Maurice) Kurtz of Portage, Michigan. Also surviving are four beloved grandchildren: Emily Stewart/Luis Caldera of Escondido, California; Robert J. Stewart of Ft. Worth, Texas; Sherry L. Kurtz of Washington, D.C.; Christine (Matthew) Martin of Byron Center, Michigan, and two great-grandchildren; Grant Martin and Conner Caldera. Helen is survived by her sister Florence (Richard) Steele and was preceded in death by her other sister, Lyllis McVey. Her biggest joy was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and all the dear friends she made in her many moves around the country. She loved to read, write, travel, and spend time on her computer. As per Helen's request, cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering for her family and friends will be held at a later date. Her cremations will be interred in the family plot in Bridgehampton, Long Island, New York.