Estate sheds light on legacy
Philanthropist’s belongings being sold to support Stewart Family Foundation
When local radio host and beloved philanthropist Lila Jean Stewart saw a cause that bettered her community, she was apt to support it, whether her donation was made public or not.
Stewart, who died in 2018 at the age of 85, touched many lives and inspired generosity and awe where she went, those who knew her described.
Her presence at social engagements loomed large. She was the type of person who would show up at fundraiser or party “looking like a million bucks.” At a University of Colorado Boulder party that was themed southwest barbecue, she donned a skirt, squash blossom necklace and behemoth buffalo head belt buckle. Then there was the flapper-themed fundraiser, when she showed up in an authentic dress, dripping in shimmering beads.
“It wasn’t showing off,” said longtime friend Linda Snyder. “She always found somebody who could hand make it or find it for her.”
Stewart curated many rare and unique items in her lifetime and seemed to know exactly what she wanted, whether it was crystal champagne flutes or a hot dog steamer, emblazoned with her nickname: Lady Swan. She and her husband, the late William “Bill” Stewart, were known for their generosity and supported many local organizations, including the Longmont Museum, which bears their name on its auditorium; the Longmont Hospital Foundation; and the TLC Learning Center.
The items Stewart collected over her lifetime provide some insight into the strong-willed, kind-hearted woman, who was a pillar to the community.
Stewart’s legacy to give back is being carried on in the form of an estate sale auction. Her Longmont home and personal belongings are all being sold to benefit the Stewart Family Foundation, which supports local nonprofits, hospitals and educational institutions. The online auction for her home closes Monday, and the personal items auction closes July 28. Items up for bid start at prices ranging from under $5 to a couple of thousand.
After moving to Longmont in 1959, Stewart and her husband, William, bought KLMO, a local radio station. The Times-call reported that Stewart worked alongside Bill at the station, defying expectations of the 1950s and 60s-era to stay home and be a housewife. She created “Happy Talk,” a twohour weekday morning show that brought to light women’s issues, as well as divulged recipes and housekeeping tips. The station’s power expanded under their ownership, from 250 watts to 10,000 watts. Before her retirement in 1987, Stewart’s show amassed fans and led her to publish cookbooks of recipes from listeners.
The couple’s only child, Linda Jean Stennette, graduated
from the University of Colorado Boulder. Stennette died at the age of 55 in 2009, following open heart surgery.
A unique collection, a unique person
Auctioneer OJ Pratt, owner of Pacific Auction & Realty, which is handling the estate sale, knew Stewart through local charity auctions, where he said she was often front and center to support a local cause.
Pratt has sold a lot of stuff in his nearly 40 years of running the Longmont business, but nothing quite like the Stewart collection.
“I've sold pretty close to a billion dollars worth of stuff,” Pratt said. “So, for me to see something that I haven't seen is pretty uncommon.”
Among the items are a antique hall tree clock made from tiger oak, which has a unique striped wood grai,n and 40 collectibles made by artist Jay Strongwater, including a roughly 6-foot-tall decorative tree.
The Stewarts home itself, at 2011 Ridgeview Drive, which was custombuilt in the 1990s, is up for auction.
Besides the elevator that goes to all three levels, another one-of-a-kind element across the 5,000square-foot home is the incorporation of swans from the chandelier lights to the wood flooring to sink and tub faucets.
Snyder said she believes Stewart loved swans because she thought they were pretty and liked some of their qualities, like the fact that they chose a partner for life.
Stewart and Snyder were introduced when Snyder was a child. At the time, her parents owned Snyder Jewelers, which Snyder now runs. Stewart frequented the shop to find jewelry, and she became a fast friend of the family.
Swans just seemed to appear when Stewart was around, Snyder said.
During a trip to New York together in 2011, Snyder and Stewart stumbled upon a swan-themed crystal center-piece sitting in the front of an antique store. Stewart walked out of the store as the new owner of the piece — an item that is now among those up for auction.
Anyone who knew Stewart well, knew how strong willed she was, even after a 2009 car crash that nearly severed her right leg and led her to use a cane. If Snyder would reach out to support her arm, Stewart would remind her that she didn't need help.
“Even when she was struggling, she was so strong and so independent,” Snyder said.
At the Stewarts' former home on Wednesday, Snyder was flooded with memories of her longtime friend. Stewart was quick to donate when she saw a worthy cause. She said Stewart once made a spontaneous $10,000 donation to an Irish dance school to provide scholarships to children whose families couldn't afford lessons, after Stewart saw one of their performances.
“She loved to try and mentor or teach people,” Snyder said. “She really had a soft spot for kids in general. There were big donations she made that were public and people knew about, but (there were) a number of times I would see her make them just because she cared.”
Drifting through the house Wednesday, Snyder remembered how Stewart brought people together with her Christmas parties and tea time inside the Longmont home. Several of Stewart's tea sets, one which features swans and another that is adorned with colorful butterflies, are among the auction items.
An unrivaled love for sports
In addition to the Stewarts' love for nonprofits that bettered the Boulder County community, they both shared a passion for sports, including baseball, basketball, hockey and football.
Jim Newcomb first met the Stewarts in 1993 at a Colorado Rockies game. The couple and Newcomb had season tickets and ended up side by side. Over 81 games, Newcomb got to know Stewart and her husband, and they became friends. In 2010, Newcomb began helping with the foundation and today is its president.
Stewart's love for sports is visible in many of the items up for auction, but one that sticks out is the hot dog steamer that University of Colorado Boulder Athletic Director Rick George gifted to Stewart in 2014.
“When they put the new suites in CU, she got invited to go. They had a steamer up there and they were making hot dogs and she said, ‘I want one of those,'” Newcomb said. “The athletic director told her he would get her one.”
The steamer, which George gifted to her with the words: Lady Swan at the top, is among the items up for auction.
Newcomb said the Stewarts' love for the University of Colorado Boulder ran deep. Bill sat in the press box, covering games for the radio station. Stewart had reser ved seats at the 50-yard line, where she often could be found with friends. Through the foundation, the couple has provided close to $6 million in support to the university, Newcomb said.
A mini football helmet and other forms of CU Boulder memorabilia are among the auction items.
Stewart was also a member of the Red Hat Society, a social organization, and was also fond of the Kentucky Derby. Both gave her a chance to debut her extensive hat collection, many of which were made by designer Cynthia Lee.
“Lila on hats, I don't think ever wore them twice,” Newcomb said. “She had so many of them.”
While roughly 70 of the hats are still up for bid, a number were gifted to the Red Hat Society members, Pratt said.
Other items up for bid in the 22-page long online auction are Jimmy Choobrand sparkly tennis shoes; Drexel Chinoiserie bar cabinet on a gold tone iron base; an assortment of jewelry, including a Charles Garnier 18K swan ring, pearl sets, as well as records, fur coats, hats, figurines, tea sets and a silk wedding kimono hanging on the wall near the staircase that is adorned with tiny cranes in the fabric pattern.
People interested in support the auction can access it online at pacificauction.com.
Stewart loved swans, jewelry and custom-made hats, but most of all she loved her Longmont and greater Boulder County community.
“She was a great supporter of charities and continues to be, which is kind of cool,” Pratt said. “It's sad in one way that there is no family to leave the (items) to, but again their legacy really continues on. The folks that run the foundation, they really have Lila's heart in what they do.”