Judy Steward

Good morning family and friends... I was born Judy Steward on July 29, 1951 in New York City, to the late Odessa and Herman Steward. I am the oldest of 5 children and the only girl. I remember growing up in Harlem with my three brothers, Greg, Herman, and James. The place was small but it ws our home and my mother made it that. I was 9 years old when my fa,ily moved to Frederick Douglas Houses and I loved it. I remember never seeing a building higher than the 6th floor and yet here we was, living in apartment 18B in 870 Columbus Avenue and I'm looking out the window with a big smile on my face. I remember my mother getting pregnant again and we moved to a new, bigger apartment in 868 Amsterdam Avenue to make room for our new edition to the family. Tracy. I had my own room again so I was happy about that. By the time Tracy was almost 2 years old, my father had gotten sick and had to be hospitalized. He subsequently died in 1965 and this effected everyone in the family differently. My mother was left to raise 5 children by herself. My mothr cried a lot during this time. I remember calling her friends to come over and talk with her, to try to take her mind away a little. It was during this time that my mother got offered a job at the 24th precinct as a receptionist and she said helping other people made her feel better. So now its my senior year in high school and I couldn't wait to graduate. I graduated from Cathedral High School for Girls. I always got good grades inschool. I was an "A" student. It was at this time I met a great friend who I am still friends with to this day. Her name is Valerie and she lives in California with her 2 daughters and husband. It was also in my senior year when I started to work part time for Met Life. After graduation, Met Life hired me as a full time worker. There I met three other people that are still my dearest friends till this day... Jean, who lives a couple of blocks away from me who I talk to all the time, then there is Chrys, who joined the Army, got married and moved to South Carolina. They are both retired from the army and from time to time, I go to visit them. They are the sweetest friends and they always make me feel like family, and my ex-husband, James. We had a great relationship for ten years but then we grew apart. We parted on good terms. We was living in a co-op when I moved out into another section. After two years he sold the co-op and sent me a generous check for the sae. I wanted to follow in my mother's footsteps so during this time, I enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Design where I graduated with my degree just like my mother. I loved making clothers and styling people. I still make clothes till this day...after I left Met Life, I started working fr the MTA. I held several positions with the MTA but it was working in the law department that I loved doing. I met a lot of beautiful people with whom I consider family.

On April 21, 2013, God called me home to my resting place. I am now in the loving arms of my mother and father again. I leave behind my loved ones, family and friends to cherish my memories: My handsome four brothers, Greg Steward, Herman S, James Steward and Tracy Steward. My four nephews: Tracy Jr., Herman Jr., James Jr., and Greg Jr. My four nieces: Jasmine Steward Johnson, Nefertiti Steward and Heather Steward. One Uncle, James Gibbs, Cousins: Derrick Elsberry, Terry Elsberry, Howard Elsberry, Denise Ladson, Sharon Gibson, Bridget Berry and a host of family and friends.