Elizabeth Stewart

Elizabeth (Liz) Ann Stewart, of Ellicott City, Maryland passed away on March 8, 2025 at age 52. She was born in Poughkeepsie, New York to Ronald and Berthel (née Brisette) Harris, who both preceeded her in death. Elizabeth was a standout scholar athlete from the young age of five playing soccer. She made the varsity team by middle school, and set the record through graduation for most goals for both girls and boys at Spackenkill High School (NY). This record still holds to this day! Her stellar high school academics lead to her enrolling at Columbia University (NYC), where she was the Captain of her soccer team. Liz was nominated Freshman of Year Columbia University Women's Soccer, and received a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics with a minor in African American Studies. Liz went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School, and subsequently went on to pass the bar exams for the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, and California (the latter two being the most difficult in the country to pass).
After graduation, Liz moved to Washington DC to practice law, where she met her future husband James Stewart. Liz was a hard worker whose ability to simplify very complex legal transactions as a corporate lawyer was respected by her colleagues and clients alike. Liz believed in being a conduit for social justice and change. Prior to her retirement from the legal profession in 2022, she sat on the boards for The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, Mastermind Group for African-American Small Business, and the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. She also contributed to her Los Angeles community by reading to children every weekend at a local school, and delivering food to unhoused individuals in Skid Row with a local non-profit.
Liz retired from practicing law in 2022 to focus on restoring the 1800 log home she and James shared in Maryland, and transitioned into professional outlets emphasizing two of her biggest passions - tennis and helping others. Liz became certified as an official by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). She served as a tennis official for various local amateur tournaments, and served in her first professional tournament in October 2024. She also became a Certified Work Incentive Practitioner, and began working with James as a Benefits Counselor, helping people with disabilities navigate the process of returning to work when they are receiving disability benefits. Liz was a passionate traveler, visiting all but two of the continents. She was always seeking out her next adventure, regardless of any health challenges she faced.
Liz leaves her beloved husband of almost 22 years, Dr. James Stewart, brother Dave Harris of Wappingers Falls, New York, sister Karen Rowe of Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, numerous relatives, and dear friends who will all cherish her memories and their time with her. A private service will be held with family and close friends to celebrate Liz's life in Baltimore, Maryland on April 27,2025.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, Planned Parenthood, The American Civil Liberties Union, or Accokeek Foundation (MD) in Liz's name