It is with a heavy heart that we share that Jean (Jarnagin) Stewart, 81, passed away the morning of December 15, 2025.

Jean was born June 8, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan. She was predeceased by her parents, Marvin and Frances Jarnagin, her brother, Robert Jarnagin, and most recently, her husband of 60 years, Robert (Bob) Stewart. Jean leaves behind her eldest daughter Beth Stewart (son-in-law Rich Gordon), and youngest daughter Heather Stewart. “Grandma Jean” thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren Holly and Micah, as well as becoming a bonus grandma to Alison (grandson-in-law Zack Farrer) and Liam. Last December Jean was blessed with a great-grandbaby, Rory Farrer. She also leaves behind two nieces and two nephews.

Jean grew up in Detroit, where she made many lifelong friends in her neighborhood, at church, and at her alma mater, Cooley High School. As a teen, Jean met the love of her life, Bob, in the youth group at Saint James Methodist Church. They were happily married for 60 years.

Jean had many creative talents. She learned to sew at a young age, making some of her own clothes, matching outfits and doll clothes for her young daughters, and later dresses and costumes for her granddaughter Holly. Jean became an expert quilter and created beautiful pieces for family and friends. We hold those quilts dear! In 2020 Jean sewed more than 100 masks to distribute during the pandemic.

Jean loved to write short stories and poems. Readers looked forward to her annual Christmas letter, which deviated from the typical “who’s who” and instead offered an original story or poem. Ever the lifelong learner, at age 50, Jean earned her B.A. in psychology. Jean loved to read. She enjoyed a good game of Bridge and Spider Solitaire and was open to learning new technology (she mastered the Apple Watch at 81). Jean’s work life was diverse! She held a slew of jobs in different career areas, including interior decorating, sales, administrative work for AT&T, teaching adult education at a NJ college, working at the Disney Marketplace, and as a secretary at her local church in SC.

Jean often admitted that her favorite job was as a wife and mother–and she did it well! As Bob’s job required family moves over the years, Jean had to “start over” numerous times, but the key to the family’s happiness was that she treated each new home as if it were her forever home. This approach created a sense of security and comfort that her girls needed during those transitions and would later provide them with the gift of adaptability and resilience. With each new home, Beth and Heather dreaded the recurring “Girls, go take a walk around the block–you might meet someone” directive and begrudgingly took that walk. And they usually met a new friend (Moms know)!

Jean encouraged lots of activities and fun for her girls. She took them berry picking, taught them to bake and cook, led Brownie and Girl Scout troops, volunteered at school, supported her daughter Heather’s rigorous gymnastics and track schedules, and attended every meet and concert she could. Jean instilled in her girls the belief that they could do anything they set their minds to. Some endeavors (Heather’s gymnastics) were a great success. Others (Beth’s wood shop skills), not so much! In the midst of life’s chaos, Jean always opened her home to the neighborhood kids. For some reason, they all congregated at the Stewart house (some of them even scored a hot breakfast before school). Beth and Heather’s friends were always welcome at Bob and Jean’s–a practice that continued into adulthood, with many of those childhood friends returning years later.

Jean and her husband Bob retired in their mid-50s to start their next life chapter–senior living. Jean met wonderful friends in Hemlock Farms, PA; Solivita, FL; Sun City, SC; and Easton, MA. In her earlier retirement years, Jean enjoyed golf, walking, Bunco (don’t ask), the Red Hat Society, and hosting neighborhood Super Bowl parties. At her last home in Easton, she enjoyed playing bingo, attending social hours with her new friends, shopping trips, family outings with Beth, and long calls and FaceTime chats with Heather.

Jean went out of her way to help others–whether it was driving a friend to church, baking muffins for someone, or just calling to check in. Jean was quick to make new friends and kept in touch with those special to her. She took advantage of texting or calling those who were far away, some of whom she had known for more than 60 years. It always lifted her spirits to catch up with a friend and have a good laugh. Jean was always ready for the day, whether it was work, an outing, or a casual day at home. She carried herself beautifully, with a quiet attention to detail, right down to the matching earrings! One thing all will remember about Jean is that she loved to laugh. Especially with her family–the Stewarts were even once coined “The Laughing Family” by dear friends. That sense of humor went a long way for Jean and was one of her secrets to living her best life.

In her later years, Jean was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which created challenges–and she handled them like a champ, often using humor (e.g., “Squirrel!”) despite some unsettling symptoms. In fact, most people probably knew little about what she was going through because it was important to Jean that she focus on others rather than herself, smile, and remain positive.

Jean will be missed by so many! Her spirit will live on in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved her. Beth and Heather will honor her (and Bob’s) memory with a celebration of life service at a later date. For those who wish to pay tribute to honor Jean, the family encourages you to donate to Parkinson’s disease research or a charity that is important to you. We encourage anyone willing to share memories or stories about Jean to do so on this page. 

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