Virginia Lucretia Harre Steward

Virginia (Lucretia) Harre Steward, passed away on February 5th, 2024, at age 87, surrounded by the love of her family. Virginia was a remarkable woman who led a very full life dedicated to the service of others.

Virginia “Ginny” was born in Camden, NJ on June 20th, 1936, daughter of James and Eleanor Harre. Ginny was raised in Swedesboro, NJ, graduated from Swedesboro High School and later moved to the Midwest to pursue an education in nursing on an art scholarship at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. She graduated as an RN from the integrated program of Earlham College and Reid Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She had a very full career starting at a VA Hospital and then working as a resident surgical nurse at Reid Memorial Hospital. In 1963 Ginny moved back to NJ and settled in Woodbury Heights. She worked in the ER at Underwood Memorial Hospital, several doctors’ offices in Woodbury, including Drs. Moore and Flynn, was a school crossing guard and volunteered at Woodbury Hts Elementary School. Ginny was a proud and involved resident of Woodbury Heights where she raised her family and served on several community organizations. She served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader for many years, she helped many Boy Scouts with their Eagle Scout badges, she was a Sunday School teacher and member of her church’s Silver Circle. Most notably she served as Director of the Woodbury Hts. Municipal Alliance Committee running after-school programs with a focus on anti-drug education (D.A.R.E.). Due to her outstanding dedication to others, she was presented with the Gloucester County Volunteer of the Year award. Ginny was a member of the Woodbury Heights Fire Department Ambulance Squad where she was honored for being the first ever RN to volunteer to ride on an ambulance in the State of NJ. She became certified as an EMT in the early 1970’s when the National EMT training first became available. She later served as the Ambulance Captain.

Ginny loved to spend her summers in Beach Haven, NJ and loved traveling to new places - some of her favorites included the Caribbean Islands, Bermuda, Marco Island, Sanibel Island, Alaska, New Hampshire, and Martha’s Vineyard. She was an avid photographer, always ready with a camera at hand, to capture life all around her. She had an artistic eye and valued artists. She spent much of her time collecting seashells on beaches, crafting, and visiting craft shows with friends.

Virginia is predeceased by her parents James H. Harre, Sr. and Eleanor Brown Harre; late husband Donald W. Steward, Sr. She is survived by her 3 daughters: Virginia (Ginger) T. (Robert) Harriett of Medford, Judith T. (Randall) Link of Lambertville & Cheryl T. (Christopher) Roethke of Woodbury Hts., Stepchildren: Donald W. Steward Jr. of West Deptford and Shelly L. Mandel of Woodbury Hts, her Brother - James H. (Jane) Harre, Jr. of Gibbstown; first husband C. Dale Tanner; 4 grandchildren; Shawn R. (Emily) Harriett, Michael J. (Molly) Harriett, Jennifer K. (fian. James LiSooey) Roethke, Christopher R. Roethke; 3 step-grandchildren; Samantha Steward, Nathan Steward, Zachary Steward; 3 great-grandchildren: Tate W. Harriett, Mattie E. Harriett, Roe G. Harriett & partner Dr. Robert W. Woodward, of Reidsville, NC.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 9th - Open visitation for friends and family time is from 10:30 am to 11:30 am until the service beginning at 11:30 am at the Davis & Wagner Funeral Home, 171 Delaware Street, Woodbury, NJ. Farewell ceremony will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Kemble Memorial United Methodist Church, 19 S. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096. Share memories…Share love…Share life

Memories & condolences can be shared at www.daviswagner.com