Jody Mae Stewart of Chassahowitzka, FL passed away while under the care of Sturgill Hospice Care Center in Brooksville, FL on December 5, 2019 at the age of 57. Jody was born in Waukegan, IL to the late Norman James and Edith Mae (Doty) Stewart on March 2, 1962. She and her family made Florida their home in 1971 after relocating from Chicago, IL.
Jody enjoyed the game of baseball and was an avid Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs fan. She was also a talented artist and was an excellent photographer, painter, singer and poet. She had a wonderful knack for comedy and making crafts. Jody was a talented landscaper and an excellent floral designer that loved visiting garden centers and working with plants. She had the ability to add a wonderful creative flair to everything she did.
In addition to her wonderful creative abilities, she was also mechanically inclined and able to work on and repair cars, trucks, lawnmowers, appliances and wound vac machines bedside in the hospital. Jody had a love for animals and nature. She enjoyed water activities on the Chassahowitzka River and loved all animals but a few she especially loved dearly dogs: Boots, Bo, Zoey, and Coco; Cats: Doobie, Mini, Dolly and Dora the Explorer; horses, Leo; tigers and hamsters. Jody was fond of camping and campfires with her family. In her youth she was a member of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC-CRPS).
Jody worked primarily in sales much of her life and as a P.E. Aide in the Pinellas County Schools. She was employed by Home Depot, Scotty’s, Ritz Cameras, and the Key Training Center under the profound friendship of Gwen and the clients. In the last few years she maintained a lawn mowing and landscaping service with limited accounts due to her limitations. Many nights while living with her sister and brother in law from 2013 to 2018, she was using her floral design talents next to her sister. During their brief time as produce stand owners, they worked alongside each other once again. She liked pulling all the bad items to make delicious salsas, bread and bakery items once they returned home. She loved to shop and her and her sister had every kind of kitchen product known during that time.
Those left to mourn Jody’s passing include her sister, Jude Hobson and her husband Randy of Lecanto, FL; Jody’s delight and only niece, Veronica Hope Palmer; great nephews: Tyler, Travis & Trevor – better known at the “3Ts” Jamie Kustra, Jeremy Borrego and Joshua Borrego, the children she raised with Marlys Reddemann by their sides and their mom, Debra Siner; Jeremy and Josh also having children she loved. Cousins’ from her father’s side of the Stewart / Hampton families, along with Aunt Myrna Doty of Illinois and cousins from our mother’s side of the Stewart / Doty families; Darleen Hannssen, our mother’s cousin as well. Jody had other loves throughout her lifetime of living in Citrus and Pinellas Counties. Mommie Dearest, Flo Pender; Eva and Randall and family; Barbara McCormick, Debbie Gulley, Cora Helms, Pattie Shanks (deceased) all were significant to her. By all means, Fredrick and Debi Harmon, and Craig Hermann our “adopted” brother.
Two of Jody’s favorite Bible verses are: Second Corinthians 5:8 “absent for the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing.”
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service is scheduled for Sunday, December 29th, 2019 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the North Citrus Christian Church, 6442 N. Elkcam Blvd., Citrus Springs, FL 34433. (352) 527-0021. The service will take place from 2:30 to 3:00 PM and a light reception will take place from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Cremation care was provided by the Chas E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness, FL.
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