Mrs. Johson passed over of natural causes on the morning of Sunday, August 8, 2021, three weeks after celebrating her 92nd birthday. Born on July 18, 1929 and raised in Honolulu, Nellie Stewart was the seventh and last child of Harry Kaonohi Stewart and Ellen Niolopa Poepoe Stewart of Kaimuki. Like four of her five sisters, she was named in honor of one of her father's sisters. Nellie graduated from Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama as a member of the Class of 1947. Shortly after, she enrolled at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and graduated as a member of the Class of 1951 with a Bachelor's degree in Education. Nellie signed on with the Hawaii State Department of Education and began a 43-year career as an elementary school teacher and school administrator. Her first classroom was at Waikiki Elementary School in 1952. Her last classroom was at Maunawili Elementary School in 1976 in the DOE's Windward District. She transferred out of the classroom into the front office as Windward District Administrator, serving for 19 years. In that job, she oversaw the implementation of the new Title IX Program in her district. In 1995, she retired at 65 years old from the DOE. In 1950, Nellie married William McIntyre Johnson, a fellow student she had met at Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama. He pursued a career with Hawaiian Tel, while she pursued a career in Education. Married for 35 years, they had three children; Harry Stewart, William Junior and Heather Ann. William pre-deceased Nellie in 1985, eventually followed by William Junior in 1995, Harry Stewart in 2007, and Heather Ann in 2015. Nellie is survived by four grand-daughters, all of whom she co-parented; Natalie Anuhea Johnson; Katie Johnson and Malia Johnson Lawrence; and Ellie Johnson. She is also survived by her older sister Julia Stewart Williams; numerous nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of Life memorial service is set for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the Oahu Mortuary/Cemetery Chapel on Nu'uanu Avenue. Burial to follow. Flowers are welcome.
Arrangements Provided By:
Oahu Mortuaryk
