Joanne Harriet Stewart

Joanne was an intelligent, compassionate woman whose life was guided by a deep commitment to community, charity, and justice. She possessed an immense curiosity about the world and had a deep interest in politics, religion, science, history, and the arts. She loved attending concerts and plays, visiting museums, with the company of her friends and family.

She told me her father, Earl Hazlett, was a paragon of wisdom, and all his friends and neighbors came to him for advice. Joanne inherited his spirit.

Born on June 23rd, 1929, Joanne was the daughter of Earl and Lucy Hazlett, of Bishop, California. There were no hospitals in Bishop at that time, so Joanne was technically born in Southgate, Los Angeles.

When Joanne was nine years old, the family relocated to the Portland-Vancouver area, where she spent most of her youth.

As a teenager, Joanne decorated her walls with photographs of places around the world that she dreamed of visiting someday.

After meeting and marrying Robert Stewart, those dreams became reality. Through Robert's career as an engineer, the couple embarked on a remarkable journey of travel and adventure. Briefly in San Francisco, they lived in Germany, Italy, Japan, then to Ohio, California, Colorado and finally to Texas.

The family's nine years in California were especially memorable. Joanne and her children fondly remembered a close-knit neighborhood, countless adventures, and witnessing the profound social and cultural changes that transformed America during the 1960s.

In the 70’s she would move to Arlington, Texas. She would remain there for the rest of her life.

After her divorce in the early 80's, Joanne chose a career in Real Estate. Though a struggle, she built a successful and independent lifestyle that strengthened her sense of personal identity and accomplishment.

She had been a school library assistant in California and Colorado but now became more community minded.

She served as Secretary and two-time President of the Arlington Fourth of July Parade Association; participated in the West Sector Planning Group; and became a founding member of WeCAN (West Arlington Citizen Action Network).

She was active with the Arlington Board of Realtors, MPAC of Arlington, the League of Women Voters, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and regularly attended Arlington City Council meetings.

Joanne was also a team leader and organizer for Arlington Noetic Science group and a member of the Arlington Conservation Council, Arlington Historical Society, Arlington Genealogical Society and the Arlington Arts League.

The pride of her accomplishments was in forming NORMP (Neighbors of Randol Mill Park). A neighborhood group that started in 2000, when she invited people on her street to have coffee and doughnuts on every first Saturday, as a way to get to know your neighbors. That eventually grew to many more streets and soon encompassed the whole subdivision on both sides of the park. It was of great help when organizing the gas leases and formed its own Newsletter that Joanne diligently sent out weekly. Despite her efforts, she remained very humble and never wanted to be in the spotlight.

However, our kind neighbors donated a park bench in Randol Mill Park, with a plaque commemorating her contributions. And this was in line with her beliefs that people should be celebrated while they are alive, not in memorial. We are very grateful to the neighborhood for that.

One of Joanne's greatest joys was her friendships. She was a leading member of "The Birthday Girls," a group that began with a few friends born in June, celebrating together and grew into a larger circle, where actual birthdays had not become a qualification, instead the friendship, laughter, and companionship they all shared.

Joanne will be remembered for her intellectual curiosity, tireless civic involvement, generous spirit, and unwavering belief that individuals can make a difference in their communities.

She inspired those around her through both her actions and her example.

She is survived by three children, Guy (wife; Mary), Jon Stewart and Deidre Stewart.

Grandkids Katie (Husband; Jason) Maier, Emily Stewart (husband; Ryan Boyer), Graham (wife; Brittany) Stewart.

Great grandkids Carsyn Maier, Sophia Maier, Dylan Maier, and Owen Maier. Bryton Stewart, Delaney Stewart and Leon Stewart.

She leaves behind a legacy of community involvement, lifelong learning, and love for her family and friends. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.