Rachel Stewart

Rachel [Kirkpatrick] Stewart died at the age of 83 at her home in Durango, CO on July 22, 2014 due to complications from breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Rachel was born on March 27, 1931 in York to Bert Smiley and Mabel [Meeker] Kirkpatrick. She was married to Charles McWilliams Stewart. To this union was born one daughter, Kathryn Ann [Stewart] Reed.
Rachel graduated from York High School in 1948. She graduated in 1952 from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln with degrees in Early Childhood Growth and Development and Nutrition. She taught nursery school until 1955. She then went to work for Safeway as a Nutrition Consultant. She became a Home Extension Agent with Colorado State University from 1962 – 1964. In 1966 she was recognized as one of the Outstanding Young Women of America. Working as a part of the Foreign Service Program for Colorado State University, she served in Nigeria, Africa from 1964 until being evacuated from war torn Enugu in 1967. She moved to Durango, CO with her daughter that same year and began working for the La Plata County Extension Agency as a nutritionist. She worked closely with the 4H program as well as the County and State Fair programs until 1978. She later went on to work for the Senior 55+ Center developing nutritional menus and a program for Meals On Wheels, a program she was also able to benefit from in her later years.
Rachel had a love for books of all kinds, quilting, and many art modalities and had a passion for weaving. The plaque above her loom read "Dream Weaver Lives On." She had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed traveling.
Rachel is survived by her daughter Kathryn Reed of Durango; her grandsons Justin S. Reed of Dallas, TX and Christopher Reed and Steven N. Reed of Ruidoso, New Mexico; one brother, Ben F. (Ann) Kirkpatrick of York; sister-in-law Bettie Kirkpatrick of Broken Bow, NE; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Rachel was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law James and Hazel Kirkpatrick; sister and brother-in-law Helen [Kirkpatrick] and John Crowley, Oak Park, IL and their son John P. Crowley, Jr.; brother David Kirkpatrick; nieces, Janet Kirkpatrick and Karen Kirkpatrick and a nephew, Mervin Kirkpatrick.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be sent in Rachel's name to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado Street, Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301.
Condolences may be sent to Kathryn Reed, 2710 Delwood Avenue, Durango, CO 81301