Helen Jackie Stewart

Helen Jacklyn Reynolds Stewart Sept 3, 1940 - Oct 17, 2019 Helen or "Jackie" as she was known to friends and family was the eldest of 7 children born to John (Jack and Joyce Reynolds. She was born in Niobrara and had a soft spot for this little town the rest of her life. As a baby, Jackie and her parents moved briefly to Chicago, Illinois before returning to Nebraska where the rest of the Reynolds children filled up the white farm house. Jackie enjoyed having many pets such as a white horse named Tiny and many dogs and even a few chickens. Jackie loved school and did well in art, writing, and English. She was a writer for the rest of her life, belonging to several poetry and writing clubs in adulthood with many publications.

At Niobrara High school was where she became a cheerleader and played the accordion in the band. She also met the Captain of the football team, and Homecoming King, Harry Stewart who would play a prominent part later in her life. After high school graduation, Jackie attended the University of Nebraska majoring in English, Art and history. She began dating Harry Stewart seriously, while she was in college and Harry was in the Navy. They wrote letters to each other daily for 3 years until Harry convinced her to be his bride. In the spring of 1962, Jackie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and teaching certificate. Harry returned from the Navy to get married in their beloved hometown, Catholic church on June 16, 1962. The love birds honeymooned for two weeks, traveling to California where they would meet up with Harry's folks who were residing in Long Beach. In California, two girls were born, Anna Marie and 14 months later, Teresa Elaine. Jackie and Harry both took assorted college classes while in California at Seritos College. Jackie was also a flourishing artist and won several awards including second place in the Laguna Beach art show. The young couple enjoyed the California sunshine and worked a few different jobs until the calling of Nebraska lured them back to Lincoln. They choose to settled into the original farm house on Dudley street that was nestled in the new housing complex. . At this resident two more children were born, Sean Edward and then the baby Stephanie Susanne. Dudley Street was a wonderful neighborhood filled with lifelong friends and they lived there forever and ever for 50 years Jackie worn many hats as the woman of the house while Harry was employed as a Lancaster Deputy Sheriff. She worked as a candy maker for Russel Stover, baby sat many local kids, and taught art for Saint Monica's Home for Women. She was active in her children's schools and volunteered as "The Picture Lady" and on PTO. One of her claims to fame was how she wrote/read a satire fairy tale; to save our local Bethany Library in front of the City Council. Jackie loved all books and couldn't pass up a garage sale. Harry and she loved to volunteer at a weekly food net right up til the end. She believed in many causes and every person and wasn't afraid to take a stand. That trait was honorably passed down to all her children. Jackie was a tenacious woman who affected every life she touched with strong opinions, spiritual prayers, and a will that surpassed all to survive and make the most out of life.

She is survived by her four adult children, 19 wonderful grandchildren and 14 precious great-grandchildren, who she did not want to leave on this earth. She is preceded in death by her sister, Rosalie, Father Jack and Mother Joyce Reynolds. Her dedication to her Niobrara roots and her high school sweetheart was strong and unsurpassed. Harry and Jackie were married 57 years as of June 2019.

She will be greatly missed. If you have a story to share about our mother, grandmother, sister, and friend...we would love to hear it.