Obituary for Kathryn Renee Stewart

Kathryn “Jimi” Renee Stewart, well-known and loved local watercolorist and friend to many in Rim Country, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.
“Jimi,” as she was known since childhood by her friends and family, had just reached the age of 84. Jimi was born in May 16, 1931 in Pomona, Calif. to parents Perry Arant and Lorna Lucille Arant. She spent most of her life in California, where she graduated with honors from Pomona High School and went on to California State University, Los Angeles earning her bachelor’s degree in American studies and a master’s degree in cross-cultural bilingual education. Jimi taught elementary school (grades 1 and 3) for many years in both California and Arizona.
Jimi is survived by her husband, Russ Stewart, whom she met in Monrovia, Calif. and married June 30, 1979. Russ and Jimi moved to Payson, Ariz. in 1998.
Jimi enjoyed art as a hobby most of her life, especially watercolor painting. Soon after Russ and Jimi moved to Payson, Jimi enrolled in art and language classes at Gila Community College and was an avid student attending classes ever since. She was enrolled in watercolor painting for the 2015 summer session. Her fellow students and instructor are very sad to lose Jimi as a loyal friend to all, but also as a “master” watercolorist, who was called upon frequently to demonstrate or critique one of the many watercolor techniques that she had refined over the years.
Besides her loving husband, Russ, she is also survived by her sister, Anna; all of her four children from her first marriage: daughters, Elizabeth Alleruzzo and Kathy Meyer; sons, Tom Meyer and David Meyer; as well as five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Jimi donated her body to science, so there will be no funeral; however husband Russ has made arrangements for a memorial service to honor how Jimi has blessed our lives. The memorial service will be held at the Payson Elks Club on the corner of the Beeline and Airport Road from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 20, 2015.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers that friends donate to the Jimi Stewart Artists’ Fund that will help “Starving Artists” needing art supplies. The fund is set up at the Wells Fargo Bank, Account #3588965024.