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FUNERAL HOME

Dayspring & Fitch Funeral Home

4200 S Othello St.

Seattle, Washington

Zakiya Stewart Obituary

Zakiya STEWART Noted Author and Educator, Mother, and beloved wife of George Stewart, Loving Mother of Akilah S. Stewart, Gamba (Dionne) Stewart. Also survived by her Brother and Sisters; Edward Jackson, Stanford Jackson, Valerie Jackson, Mary Thompson and Monica Harrold and a host of relatives and friends. Mrs. Zakiya M. Stewart passed on 07/22/2007. Viewing will be Wednesday, 07/25/2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Dayspring-Fitch & Sons Funeral Home located at 5503 Rainier Ave. S. Seattle WA 98118, 206-723-8955. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, 07/25/07 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church located at 1634 19th Ave. in Seattle, WA. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to DCDI or Ombogo Girls Academy.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Jul. 25, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Zakiya Stewart

44 Entries

Cecily Sherritt

July 19, 2025

I was thinking Zakiya last night.
She will always be remembered by me as a person you could go to when you had a problem and she would put everything aside to listen. A truly remarkable person who was gone too soon.

Cecily Sherritt

July 20, 2021

As I approach my retirement from Shoreline Community College, I remember those who made a difference for me while I worked there. At the top of the list is Zakiya. I will always remember her warm, friendly attitude and especially the kindness and understanding she gave me during a difficult time with a health situation. She was going through a much more intense time of her own but was there to listen and offer words of advice and encouragement that I needed so badly. I will always remember her with love.

Alma Lorraine Bone Constable

September 20, 2007

The sound of her laughter is what I will miss the most about Zakiya. I worked with her on Cultural Reconnection Missions on the Vision and Planning Team (VPT). Our meetings were often long, and occasionally our team would get into heated discussions. Zakiya had a way of cracking a joke or asking a poignant clarifying question that would bring us all to tears laughing. She always would say - if it can’t be fun, why do it? It was an honor to know her as a travel companion, VPT partner, and sister.

Mayet Dalila

September 19, 2007

There are some people in this life that I have been blessed to meet and realized that I would have loved to have more of them…Mother Zakiya was one of those people. Whether she knew it or not when she was present she gifted me with wisdom, clarity and pride. She was consistent and her precise communication style aided in defusing confusion in many gatherings. I sought out her advice. I will miss her style, brilliance and her eye on African restoration. I loved her thinking, I loved her. Her guidance lives on in me because there will be many times in which I will move forward by saying to myself "what would Mother Zakiya think, say and do?”

Doreen Cato

September 19, 2007

My dear dada Zakiya, I only had a short time with you, but we developed a bond between us. The long trip back to Seattle from Kenya gave us a chance to get to know one another better. Through that small window of time I was your student, eagerly listening and learning in those few hours together we had the chance to get to know one another better. It is that memory that will remain with me, as the student eagerly listening and learning in those few hours. You will always remain in my heart and prayers. Your dada forever.

Lillie Plummer

August 23, 2007

Thank you Zakiya for modeling who we are, what we are about, and what we are to be doing as we move through this world. I have admired you from afar since the early days of Black Child Development. I literally took every word you and Germaine said as gospel. You were great role models for me in my early days in Seattle. Thank you for your support and especially your encouraging words at our 2007 Kwaheri Ya Kuonana, which touched my very soul. You will be remembered forever.

Fran Davidson

August 22, 2007

When Zakiya invited me to share her office at PONW, she shared more than desk, phone and computer. She also shared her vast and eclectic collection of books and awards, and in passing her each day, her endless well of wisdom, humor and encouragement. In the late evening, when many had left for home and families, Zakiya and I shared the intimate and reflective meanderings of breast cancer warriors. Zakiya has left us to become an Eternal Warrior. She has left us with a road map of dignity, integrity, struggle, acceptance and celebration. Thank you Zakiya

John Nimmo

August 22, 2007

I was honored to work with Zakiya for 7 years at Pacific Oaks and to learn from her. She was an incredible presence who always kept her eyes on the prize. She was gentle, strong, intelligent, determined, and wasted no time on the unimportant things in life. I miss her wonderful laugh, her style, her warm voice, and her directness.

Thank you Zakiya for entering my life. We all will miss you. With love!

Pauline Hill

August 16, 2007

I first met Zakiya in a summer program, STEP, held at WA Middle School, SPS, more than 20 years ago. She, several other sisters, and I became 'STEP' sisters. We were educators who cared deeply and worked profoundly for children. More recently, Zakiya assisted with organizing 13 educators/delegates to travel to Ethiopia and Kenya, July, 2006. With praises to God, I am very grateful to have shared life with his daughter, Zakiya, especially in the Motherland! Zakiya was a noble and brilliant educator who loved learning as well as sharing her knowledge and skills with God's people. I am so blessed because she lived and because she will live in my heart - forever!

LueRachelle Brim-Atkins

August 16, 2007

Zakiya, I submitted my entry for your journal and for some reason it was “cut short”—like your beautiful life. I thought I’d try to complete my thoughts again.

We have been friends for over 30 years. We've had sistergirl conversations about raising our children as we raised them simultaneously (Remember those 5am runs to Douglass-Truth to get them to the ski bus for one more OPPORTUNITY!?!). We've shopped, gathered sisterfriends for dinner on the town, problem-solved, laughed hysterically, comforted each other, plotted strategies to serve children in Seattle and in Kenya. We’ve served on the Vision & Planning Team for our work in Kenya, collected money, panties, lotions, books and bras for the girls at Ombogo. Together we learned from the children and the adults on The Continent. You taught us how to leave a legacy with the scholarship endowment that will go on long after we’ve joined you in the hereafter.

When I got the bright idea to establish a regional library in Nyanza Province, we met to talk about what might slow down the process because you didn’t want us to become discouraged if things didn’t run smoothly. Even then we knew that you would probably not be around to see the project completed, but we let that knowledge flow quietly between us as we talked the project through so that we’d be successful. I love you so much for that.

I miss your saying, “Hey, Girl.” I miss your quiet speech as you shared your wisdom. I miss your saying, “Now you know I have an opinion…” and “I could be wrong but…” I miss that dry wit of yours as we ended up laughing OUT LOUD about something that might have been pressing on our hearts before we found the humor in it.

The ancestors must be having one big party to welcome you! You’ve been a good sister, a good soldier, a good friend. Kwaheri ya kuonona (farewell until we meet again).

Dr. James and Gwen Dupree

August 15, 2007

Just like her name, Zakiya was a unique person.She had the right combination of scholarship, artistry, friendliness, positivity, selflessness, inner-confidence, persistence, and calm rarely found in one individual. She was a genuine friend whom Gwen and I truly loved. We will always remember how Zakiya's wonderful smile and glistening eyes warmed our hearts and brightened our souls everytime our paths crossed.http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=GB000091433758
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=GB000091433758

Darlene Hilyard

August 10, 2007

I think Zakiya was a very warm person, who made people feel welcome around her. She will be missed.

Arthur Cole

August 8, 2007

I was blessed to have met her. She was pleasant to be around and always had a bright disposition.

Joanna Cullen

August 8, 2007

We were very sad to hear of Zakiya's death. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time.
Joanna Cullen and Jim Fox

Rhonda Brown

August 8, 2007

I met Zakiya in 2004 on a trip to Africa. She was so passionate about the work she was called to do at the Ombogo girls school. She had a fierce heart and strong convictions supporting her African heritage. She made us laugh with her stories and was full of fun. We will miss her

marcia tate arunga

August 7, 2007

To the Spirit of Zakiya Mwanatabu Stewart:
We rejoice and exalt your name!
We declare you an example of good living
A disciple of deep thought and good speech
For the time that you walked on this earth,
you gave those of us who knew you
a sense of value; a sense of pride and calm justice
You are an institution builder, having built many institutions in the same tradition of excellence of our great ancestors who built the magnificent pyramids!
Let us not forget the lessons you taught us to love our Blackness
To be vigilant of and to celebrate our Africanity
May we be true to you're insistence toward perfection
May we dare to be more precise, more clear
and more intentional about the way we walk in the world
Let every child follow in your footsteps
Let every woman and every man
take your example of conviction righteousness,grace and dignity
Let your life be an inspiration to us:
To use our time on earth to imporve the world around us
As we call out the names of those great spirits whose shoulders we stand on, those who came before us,
So too, will we take pride in calling your name: Zakiya Mwanatabu Stewart!
May you show us proud as you join the ranks of our most celebrated ancestors. Ashe'

Debra R. Sullivan

August 6, 2007

I will miss you, Dada Zakiya. I am so blessed to have had the privilege of walking this earth at the same time you did. I am so blessed to have had the privilege of going to beloved Kenya with you. I am so blessed to have had the privilege of working with you on behalf of beloved African American children. I am so blessed to have had the privilege of knowing you. Many, many blessings to George, Akilah, Gamba, and Dionne. Even as you join our ancestors to be honored forever I can only say – I will miss you, Dada Zakiya.

Molly Roeseler Anderson

August 4, 2007

I worked with Zakiya in the mid 70's in the Lake Washington School District as part of a team to raise awareness of cultural diversity and to promote multiethnic eduation. It was a life changing experience for me. Zakiya was an inspiration, a friend, a mentor and a role model. She was someone whose imprint will last forever.

Ernest Johnson

August 1, 2007

I posted this in honor of the passing of my mentor and friend on our faculty list serve at Shorleine Community College: To: All Faculty RE: Goodbye Zakia Stewart,Thank you for having walked this Earth.

Thanks for the suggestion to honor Dr. Zakia Stewart, or Dr. Z. as she was referred to by former students at the service which took place at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in the middle of a workday. The people present and sending their condolences would fill a Who's Who book of Seattle's Black community. In addition our district's state representative, state senator, chairperson of the Seattle School's Board, deputy mayor, and some others from the broader community were there for the entire 2.5 hour service. Her list of accomplishments and contributions to the education and upliftment of the dispossessed youth of this society stretched over 30 years from Chicago to Seattle and was literally stunning. Her wake was a time of honoring and deep reflection on what it means to be an educator, activist, life-long partner, sister, mother, friend, mentor and simply an honorable human being. I was honored to be at her service, and pleased that her service to our college, where I had the genuine pleasure of getting to know her, was mentioned twice.

King County councilman Gossett, was said to have summed up her life by stating that: no other African American had done as much for this community as (Queen) Zakia, and that if the rest of us did half as much we would be able to solve the many problems facing our community today.

Long live the memory and grace of a woman I will always consider my sister, friend, and inspiration. My heart-felt regards to those of you I know are mourning her passing.

Ernest

EILEEN NELSON OF ROGER'S GROCERY

July 30, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Donna Buchanan

July 30, 2007

Zakiya gives new meaning to zeal, courage, hope and love.

I had heard for over a year, "You have to meet Zakiya," from our mutual friend Pam Bridges. When Zakiya came to a conference in LA we met and became instant friends. It was if we had known each other a life time. That is Zakiya's way.

Although we did not talk frequently, whenever we did, we would pick up right where we left off and talk for hours at a time. We could run the gamut of topics and emotions, but always we ended in robust laughter --jaw aching, eye flooding, soul cleansing--laughter. What a great woman!

I thank God for her - my life is richer and our world is better--so much better because of her. Zakiya's lives on through all the lives she has touched-across many continents. Not many of us can make that claim.

I move back and forth from present to past to present tense not from denial but because anyone who ever met Dr Zakiya Stewart knows that all her glory and majesty, love and laughter are not vaporized by time, space or events. I continue to hear her hearty laugh telling me that she is okay; which brings me comfort.

My thoughts and prayers to Zakiya's family and friends.

Donna Buchanan

Donna Buchanan

July 30, 2007

Lynn Lambie

July 29, 2007

I have known Dada Zakiya for at least thirty years, and I can truly say that I am a better person for having known her. Dada was a jewel of a friend who always made me feel valued. Already, I'm missing talking with her,so, I'm glad that I have wonderful memories to carry me through these times--memories of our conversations about child- rearing and parenting adult children, jobs and retirement, educational excellence, relationships--especially her advice about how to have fun no matter what job you have to do.
So, I am grateful for the precious times we spent together and grateful to be someone she called "friend".
Good night, Dada, I'll see you in the morning.

Andrea Rye

July 29, 2007

Dear George,Akilah, Gamba & Dionne,

I was unable to attend Zakiya's service because I was out of town last week. I wanted you to know how much I admired and respected Zakiya. She was a very powerful, outspoken and highly respected educator not only in the Seattle area but nationally. Those whose lives she touched had tremendous respect for her. She left a lasting impression on everyone. She was beautiful in body and soul. I also admired her tremendous strength, even throughout her illness. She never wanted attention or anyone's pitty. She said that she wanted to live one day at a time and take advantage of the gift of each day. She was a role model for so many of us. Thank you for sharing her with those of us whose lives she touched.
I love each of you and will be praying for you throughout these difficult times. Peace and strength be with you.

Judy Yu

July 29, 2007

Our prayers to Zakiya's family. She was a woman who demonstrated a style and dignity to the end. We at Shoreline Community College appreciated her strength and ability to bring people together for the good work of the College. She will be remembered by many here.

John Backes

July 29, 2007

Zakiya's warmth and sense of humor kept me going more than just a few days at Shoreline. I knew immediately that I could trust her to always speak the truth as she saw it. Her focus on students and understanding their various situations were present in all of her conversations with me and in our President's Leadership Team discussions. Zakiya's integrity and strength persisted no matter how bad she was feeling or how tired she was. I miss her. We have lost a positive and thoughtful agent for change. She will continue to inspire my own work on behalf of our students and citizens.

My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

John Backes
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Shoreline Community College

Ted Haase

July 29, 2007

Zakiya was an educator for me, a lovely, gracious and generous member of our community at work. I am grateful to have worked with her. Her smile, humor, creativity and kind, gentle presence will always be with me. My thoughts and prayers are with all her beloved ones, her family and friends.

Lynn Beebe

July 28, 2007

Zakiya was such a beautiful and powerful woman..and a wonderful instructor at Pacific Oaks NW, where I also taught. It is hard for me to believe she is gone....the world of education has suffered a loss. My sympathy to her family, of whom she always spoke highly...

Ifé & Zakiya in Naples, Florida

Ifé Carruthers

July 28, 2007

Zakiya and I were friends for almost 40 years. We met at Dunbar High School in 1968 during the height of the Black Power movement. We were both young, enthusiastic African American History teachers committed to the struggle and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of black children in particular and our people in general. We planned our lessons together, often team taught, and served as sponsors for the African American History Club and watched each other’s back. Additionally, we served as advisors to an organization of young college students known as Black Body.
When Zakiya married and moved to Seattle, we maintained our friendship. We talked over the phone for hours at a time, sometimes daily but never letting more than a week pass without talking. Our conversations ran the gamut from family to finances, from local to international politics and world affairs, to what book her Book Club was reading, so that I could read the book and we could hold our own discussion. While discussing financial matters, if we ran into a concept we didn’t understand, she always said, “Girl don’t let me talk about something I don’t know, let me ask George and get back to you.” We raised our children together, through long distance telephone conversations and sometimes in person; we shared in their rites of passage from birth to adulthood, including graduations and weddings. And we marveled at the “joys of motherhood.”
Our emotional health could always be measured by how well our children were doing.

Zakiya was a brilliant scholar, an excellent teacher, a loyal friend, a good sister, a skilled community organizer, an institution builder, and a principled Pan-African Nationalist, dedicated to the restoration of African civilization. She excelled in putting theory into practice. But the roles she took greatest pride in were those of wife and mother. In our last conversation, she reflected on her life with George and stated how fortunate she was to have been married to such a wonderful man. Her love for Akilah and Gamba was eternal and she commented on how grateful she was to have Dionne as a daughter.

Zakiya, my friend, I will miss our daily talks, the sound of your voice, your hearty laughter, your keen analysis of issues that affect the lives of African people, and the standards of excellence that you set, but your memory will live in my heart forever. I will always remember our shared travel experiences such as our walk through the slave dungeons of Ghana, visiting the Che Guevara Museum in Cuba, and team teaching with you at Ombogo Girls Academy in Kenya. I will keep close to my heart our week together on the Indian Ocean in Mombassa in July 2006. And I shall never forget the fun we had the last time we were together at your 60th birthday celebration in April.

Dawn Mason

July 28, 2007

Zakiya, I do not know when I first met you. I first remember you when you decided I should be a Delaney teacher and I could not say no. You knew I loved our black heritage, you did not know I was terrible with young children. You learned and I think I was "let go." You later taught me about learning styles most specifcally my own. Asante Sana. This knowlege freed me to be accommplished and contribute in a more appropriate way. I hope that you have met all the ancestral queens and that King Tutankhamun has made known his presence. Your energy reigns among us. Asante Sana for being here with intensity and intent. We have been loved.

Zakiya in Kenya

LueRachelle Brim-Atkins

July 28, 2007

Zakiya, we have been friends for over 30 years. We've had sistergirl conversations about raising our children as we raised them simultaneously (remember those 5am runs to Douglass-Truth to get them to the ski bus for one more OPPORTUNITY!!). We've shopped, gathered sisterfriends for dinner on the town, problem-solved, laughed hysterically, comforted each other, plotted strategies to serve children at Ombogo & served on the Vision & Planning Team for our work in Kenya.

I'll miss your saying,

Debra Jenkins

July 28, 2007

I met Zakiya as a colleague at Pacific Oaks NW. She was such an impacting person. Her wisdom was phenomenal. I will miss her greatly. What an awesome love she had for living life. I remember a group of us, (Lori Y. who also has an entry in this guest book) went on a research journey to Moore-Town a remote village in Jamaica. She was such an inspiration to this critical work. I will treasure who she was, her advocacy, her wisdom and her compassion for teaching and learning in my heart forever. Warmly, Debi Jenkins

Laura Blackett

July 27, 2007

Zakiya was my shero and mentor for many reasons. Her direct, yet compassionate way of pointing out areas where I could improve my teaching has lead me to be a reflective teacher and woman. She imspired the subject for my Master's thesis and inspired me to reach for much higher goals. She will be missed by many. She also leaves a long legacy of learning and teaching behind.

MARCIA AZIZI

July 27, 2007

Zakiya and George stepped up and took special care of my husband, Akil, when no one else did. They welcomed me into their extended 'family' and made efforts to share their love for each other and strength together with us. We will always miss Zakiya, but feel confident that her memory will continue to be an inspiration and make a difference. We wish her eternal Peace. marcia and akil PS: And thanks for "Barbarians at the Gate"!

Cecily Sherritt

July 26, 2007

I met Zakiya when she became the Vice President of Student Services here at Shoreline CC. I grew to know her more closely when I was dianosed with skin cancer over two years ago. I will always cherish our personal talks and her advice to me especially regarding the decision to have radiation.
She has been greatly missed by the whole Shoreline CC community. My sympathies go out to her husband and children.

Lori Yonemitsu

July 25, 2007

Dear George, Akilah, Gamba & Dionne:
I am so grateful that I was able to work side by side with Zakiya @ SCC for a year & a half after PONW's closure. Her incredible leadership & the compassionate way in which she worked with students have left an imprint in those who had an opportunity to work with her. She truly embodied what it meant to be student centered. She is so missed...

The Staff of Dayspring-Fitch & Sons

July 25, 2007

Offering our deepest sympathies at this time.

Anne Mohundro

July 25, 2007

Zakiya was the person who hired me to work in the Seattle University Learning Center. She was a mentor and friend, and one of the most human persons I've met. Her openness, caring, courage, energy, wonderful laugh, and commitment to the educational success of children and adults inspired me greatly. She loved her family very much and I know it must be a terrible loss for them. She made a difference in many people's lives.

Eudora and Talia Carter

July 25, 2007

I met Zakiya when we came together as members of a parents group to guide our children through Garfield H S. She was a dynamic force and inspired determination in others.
Gamba and family you are in our prayers.

Barbara Crader

July 25, 2007

Zakiya worked at Seattle University about nine years ago and she was my boss and friend. After she left S.U. to pursue other interest in higher ed she and I kept in touch with B'day greeting cards and occasional lunches. Even though we lost touch with each other I have thought about her often and wondered "what is she doing now". May God wrap his loving arms around her in the next world.

Mary Romer

July 25, 2007

Zakiya was a cherished colleague for many of us here at Seattle University. She loved her family deeply, and talked often of you. She was a tireless advocate for our students. She will be deeply missed. You will be in our hearts and prayers.

Gwendolyn Ford

July 25, 2007

Zakiya was a wonderful and an inspiring woman with a beautiful smile. She was full of wisdom and mother "wit" in which she was always willing to share. Her love and concern with the welfare and education of our black youth will surely be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Letta Steward-Baker

July 25, 2007

My heart goes out to the family. Zakiya was a great example of strength and truth. She was my rock when I was sick and struggling to accomplish my academic goals. Zakiya spirit will live on. She touched lives in a way that will impact families and communities across the world.
We Love you Zakiya
Letta, Liesha, Aiesha, Ta and Tez Steward-Baker

Heather Moss

July 24, 2007

Zakiya was not only my professor and advisor, but a true spirit who guided me through the practice of becoming a teacher. Her passing is a huge loss to the education community. I send my thoughts and sympathies to her family.

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