Abby (Russell) Steward

In Memory of Abby Russell Steward
1959-2016

Abby Russell Steward, 56, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on June 12, 2016, in her home surrounded by her family.

Abby was born in Lansing, Michigan. Soon after, her parents, Allen and Janet Russell, and her older sister Eydie, moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where her dad worked for the Soil Conservation Service. Abby was a girl scout, played the violin, and caught crawdads from the creek behind her house. The family stayed in Stillwater until Abby was in her early teens, after which they moved to Benton, Arkansas. Abby worked at Ken's Pizza and graduated from Benton High School. She returned to Stillwater in 1978 to attend Oklahoma State University and received a Fashion Merchandising degree in 1982.

It was on a picnic bench at Oklahoma State that Abby met her future husband, Bruce Steward. In the spring of 1983, they were married and moved to the University of Arkansas where Abby worked at Dillard's Department Store as an area store manager and Bruce attended graduate school. In 1990, they loaded their belongings and headed to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. It was there that their son, Russell, was born in 1992 and she focused her life on being a good, caring, and loving mother.

While in Kennett Square she was active in the Willowdale Chapel, attending bible studies and assisting with AWANA. It was in 2000 that the family decided to move back to the Midwest and they settled in Overland Park, Kansas. Abby loved being closer to her mother and father who lived in Benton, Arkansas, and her sister, Eydie, that lived in St Louis.

Abby developed a close knit of friends that she enjoyed visiting and shopping with, going to movies, and talking about how to properly raise kids. Abby was heavily involved in Russell's life, helping with school activities, having parties, and cooking meals for when the "boys" came over. Birthday's, Christmas, and other holidays were of prime importance to Abby. She always made sure they were celebrated to the fullest with plenty of food, drink, and gifts. Abby had a knack for decorating the house and an eye for fashion. Abby was always honest with her words, helpful to others, and knew what she wanted. Lives that were touched by Abby were truly enriched and will be cherished forever.


Abby is survived by her husband of 33 years, Bruce Steward, Overland Park, Kansas; her son, Russell Steward, Overland Park, Kansas; her sister Eydie Weiss and brother-in-law Ron Weiss of Wildwood, MO; and her father Allen Russell of Overland Park, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her mother, Janet Russell of Benton, Arkansas.

Donations may be given to Kansas City Hospice.