Gerard's House is a safe place for grieving children and teenagers where healing happens through acceptance... moreGerard's House is a safe place for grieving children and teenagers where healing happens through acceptance and peer support. Our goal is to help children, teens and families heal when their lives have been changed by a loved one’s death or other significant losses. We support them through natural grieving processes, to enable them to regain hope, stabilize physically and emotionally, and re-engage in their schools, families and lives. A priority is removing barriers to participation for the most vulnerable individuals so that they can receive real help as they grapple with unimaginable losses. We do that through outreach, by providing a mobile unit for home visits, by offering programs in schools and by support children whose families have come from Mexico and Central America. less
We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Jayn Stewart. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. As we plan virtual gatherings, we will post invites. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Elizabeth Jayn Stewart June 24, 1941 – April 26, 2020Elizabeth Jayn Williams, known as Jayn to those who knew and loved her, was born in Russellville, KY to Giles Buford Williams and Anna Evelyn Stewart. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she moved with her mother and stepfather (Anthony Lyne) to Paducah, KY where she was raised along with her half-brother Sandford “Sandy” Lyne.Jayn attended Tillman High School in Paducah. ... see moreElizabeth Jayn Stewart June 24, 1941 – April 26, 2020
Elizabeth Jayn Williams, known as Jayn to those who knew and loved her, was born in Russellville, KY to Giles Buford Williams and Anna Evelyn Stewart. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she moved with her mother and stepfather (Anthony Lyne) to Paducah, KY where she was raised along with her half-brother Sandford “Sandy” Lyne.
Jayn attended Tillman High School in Paducah. A good student, she left Kentucky (and shed her accent) to attend college at Duke University, later transferring to Washington University in St. Louis to study fine art and English. There she met David Zopf, whom she married in 1963. After graduation, Jayn taught English in the St Louis public schools and John Burroughs High School until she and David packed up and moved to New York and then Denver. They eventually settled in Chevy Chase, MD, a suburb of Washington DC, where they raised their 3 children – Elizabeth, Katherine (Kate), and Matthew (Matt). There Jayn volunteered as a docent at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and taught courses to government agencies on a variety of topics including speed reading and technical writing, eventually acquiring the freelance education business for which she worked. Jayn enjoyed active leadership roles in the community, such as being President of the PTA at North Chevy Chase Elementary School, and serving on the board at her neighborhood swimming pool association. Always a hostess, Jayn didn’t hesitate to hold large gatherings at her home, such as a pig roast for the entire swimming pool community or the annual neighborhood Christmas party where she played the piano and created memories still cherished by many. She and David divorced in 1983, and later changed her last name to Stewart in honor of her mother’s family.
Jayn made the most of her empty nest years, and she was always up for a new adventure. She spent some time living in a spiritual community in Vermont, and then moved to Santa Fe for 12 years, where she lived with her second husband Albert Moore. There she had many roles, including Executive Director of Gerard’s House, a nonprofit supporting children who have suffered the loss of a loved one. After the dissolution of her second marriage, Jayn moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, to be near family where she continued freelance editing, taught in the Washington County Public Schools, and acted on stage with the Potomac Playmakers. To fulfill her dream of living in Europe, she moved to France and England for about a year, before finally settling near family again in Tacoma, Washington, where she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.
Jayn was deeply spiritual, but not religious. She loved the beauty of nature, a laugh with friends, a good glass of wine, knitting by the fire, reading, and spending time with her family. She made decisions by following her heart and encouraged others to do the same. She was determined to live life fully, and to do what was meaningful to her in her last years. She had friends all over the world, and those who loved her will miss her sense of fun and her way of celebrating life.
She is survived by her three children, Elizabeth Williams (Paul) of Hagerstown, MD; Kate Landy (John) of Tacoma, WA; and Matt Zopf (Antoinette) of Damascus, MD; and her six grandchildren, Sophia and Charlotte Williams, Emmett and Annalise Landy, August and Aidan Zopf.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to Gerard’s House, in honor of Jayn’s memory.
Jayn and I worked together at Smithsburg High School. She was such a delight- a true inspiration for me. I always told her that I wanted to grow up to be her. She was such a loving, free spirit! The world will surely miss her light.
Jayn and I reconnected at Sandy's memorial in Lafayette, LA, after many busy years raising our families. She and Sandy were our only first cousins, children of my father's sister, Evelyn. Every summer until I was about sixteen, I got to spend a week in... moreJayn and I reconnected at Sandy's memorial in Lafayette, LA, after many busy years raising our families. She and Sandy were our only first cousins, children of my father's sister, Evelyn. Every summer until I was about sixteen, I got to spend a week in Paducah with them. Jayn was six years older, but she was always kind and considerate of her pesky little cousin. Those visits were some of the best times of my life. Over the last four years, Jayn began to regularly visit us and our relatives in Kentucky. We shared life stories over glasses of wine and my husband, Joe, grew to love Jayn as much as I did. Our children looked forward to her visits because she brought laughter with stories of her travels and of her life. My brothers, Jimmy and Mendel loved her and enjoyed time with her as well.
Her last visit to Nashville was June, 2019. In July, Joe and I drove from Tennessee to New Mexico to spend time with Jayn before her move to Tacoma. She gave us the grand tour and told us much about the history of Santa Fe. We were eagerly anticipating her next visit to Tennessee the first week of this month. Sadly, it wasn't to be. We were devastated to hear of her sudden passing.
Jayn always brought joy to our home. I'm so grateful for the time we shared and the opportunity our children and grandchildren had to get to know her. She will be sorely missed.
My heartfelt condolences go out to all of Jayn's family and friends. I want to thank the Landy's for introducing me to this amazing woman.
I had the wonderful good fortune to have Jayn living in my home for the past five months while she was... moreMy heartfelt condolences go out to all of Jayn's family and friends. I want to thank the Landy's for introducing me to this amazing woman.
I had the wonderful good fortune to have Jayn living in my home for the past five months while she was "experiencing" a Pacific Northwest winter. She was immediately welcomed into our Tacoma Grandmothers Group to share conversations, book group, walks, and meals out. She and I connected over our mutual love of gardening, knitting, and a good glass of wine. She helped plot out spring plantings in the yard as soon as the weather permitted, and I was amazed to watch her caress the leaves of her favorite plants and the bark of tree trunks. I'm sure it was her influence that stimulated an orchid to bloom in my house that had been dormant for 4 years!
I will miss her ever positive attitude and cherish everything I learned from her about embracing life.
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