Obituary of Emma Jane Stewart

Age 75, passed away at the Robert Packer Hospital on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Jane was born in Elmira, daughter of the late George S. and Betty Jane (Pruyne) Decker. She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years Gary W. Stewart in 2018. Jane was also predeceased by brother and sister-in-law Steven and Rebecca Decker, brother-In-law Leon VanAlstine.

Jane is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Zachary G. and Sarah Stewart of Elmira with their son Owen; daughter and son-in-law Lorraine E. and Scott Packard of Horseheads with their children, Abigail, Aaron and Olivia; siblings with their spouses, Susan VanAlstine of Iron Station NC, George and Carolyn Decker of Charlotte NC, Michael and Christel Decker of Denver NC, Timothy Decker and Lawrence Huntley of Palm Desert CA; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Carolyn and Richard Kelsey of Elmira, Wilbur and Ellen Stewart of Smithfield TX, Dale and Carol Stewart of Colorado Springs CO; her loving canine companion Finnigan; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

Jane was a 1966 graduate of Southside High School. She went on to earn an Associate Degree from Corning Community College in 1968. While at CCC she played both volleyball and basketball. Jane started a 33-year career at NYSEG in 1970 working between Elmira, Horseheads, and retiring from the Binghamton office in 2003. Not one to sit still, Jane then went to work as a dispatcher for the Horseheads Police Department. That job transitioned into work as a dispatcher at the Chemung County Communication Center where she had her second retirement in 2018. During most of her time working as a dispatcher, she also worked for H & R Block preparing income taxes, a job she kept right up to her death. Grandkids consumed her free time and she loved all of their shenanigans. Jane and Gary would attend every event they could that involved the grandchildren. She and Gary loved to travel and the camping that came with the trips. Jane enjoyed time with her coffee group that usually gathered at Panera in Horseheads.

Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water St. Elmira, on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m.  A livestream of the service will be on YouTube; please subscribe to McInerny Funeral Home.  Committal prayers and burial will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. Those wishing may remember Jane with a donation to the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA, 2435 State Route 352, Elmira NY 14903.