Jeannette Lewis
Jeannette Lewis went to Heaven on the evening of January 14th . Her family was at her bedside at her Kirkland home.
Born in 1928 to Clinton and Gladys Elliott, Jeannette spent her childhood days in Chicago and in the sun on the beaches of Lake Michigan. Accidentally swallowing a button at a young age earned her the nickname ‘Button’. An animal lover from the start, Button vowed to marry the milkman’s horse.
That was before she met Gary Lewis. At Colorado College, Jeannette was a cheerleader, Gary a center on the football team. Their romance resulted in a lifelong marriage. Jeannette was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and graduated in 1950 with a degree in sociology. She became a stewardess for United Airlines. Gary joined the Marines. In 1951 they were married in Chicago. Jeannette supported Gary through medical school at Queen’s University in Canada. It was there that their first child, Christopher, was born. After four more children and residences in three states, they settled to raise their family on Mercer Island.
Jeannette had many interests and as many talents. She loved gardening and digging in the soil. Her entryway was never without a vase of fresh flowers. Jeannette kept a beautifully decorated home. She was a do-it-yourself kind of person and fearlessly took on any project. Garage sales and antique auctions were a big part of her life. She eventually went into business selling antiques herself. Jeannette’s love for animals led her to save many abandoned baby birds. She welcomed a constant stream of family pets and raised Champion Borzoi show dogs. Jeannette was an active sports fan. She skied, played tennis, and golf, as well as bridge.
Most of all, Jeannette loved her family. She shared her interests with them and they with her. She tirelessly supported her five children and 7 grandchildren in all their pursuits. Jeannette will be remembered for her sharp wit, her ready smile, and her ability to make the best of any situation. She was often barefoot and always ready for fun. She was also a fighter, a lung cancer survivor.
Jeannette is survived by her ‘dear’ sister Marion Kirk (Ken); her husband of sixty-two years Gary; her children Chris, Izzie (Tim), Jennifer, Steve (Cynthia), and Carol; her grandchildren Brittany, Olivia, Izzabella, Kieran, Henry, Vincent, and Cicely; her sister-in-law Mary Grubbs. She was preceded in death by her parents Clinton and Gladys; her siblings Marie and Clinton.
Per Jeannette’s wishes there will be no memorial, but the family will host a happy remembrance at a later date.
12 Responses to “Jeannette Lewis”
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Dear Gary and Family,
To this day, some of my fondest memories include your family and our years as neighbors on Mercer Island. I worshipped Jeanette for her beauty, fitness and genuine kindness. I still make her Overnight Egg Casserole which will now hold even greater significance for me. You are all in my thoughts with great sympathy.
Becky Willkens
Dear Izzie and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. I know you all loved her very much.
Mimi and Dan
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our memories of “Aunt Button” will live in our hearts forever.
Love,
Cynthia & Jerry
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Wonderful memories of our “Aunt Button” will live in our hearts forever.
Love, Cynthia, Jerry & Family
To know this dear person was to love her. A model of grace, common sense, and good nature, Jeannette was a force for the positive. So lucky to have known her and all her family.
XXOO Cin
Dear Izzie and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. It is comforting knowing you have a new angel watching over all of you.
Love,
Carolyn
Gary, you have been in my thoughts these passed few days.
Warm Regards, TD
Dear Gary,
We are so sad at Jeanette’s passsing. We have so many happy memories over the past 40 plus
years-gourmet dinners,boating,vactions together and more, such fun. She will be missed. Our
prayers are with you and your family.
Love
Bert and Marilyn
Dear Izzie and Family,
You have lost a loving and beautiful mom and grandma. What a wonderful person to have had in your life. I remember her cheering on Carolyn in the Eastside Track Club, and her calls of support to Eugene during thesis at the U of O. I’m sorry for your loss. Victoria & Mark
I miss you Mom.
I miss you everyday as I am writting on the right coner of my desk picture of you and I. I always carrying a picture of you in my wallet. It’s been around five years since I saw last you and it feels like just yesterday it. They say saddness and grief gets easier as time goes on. As far as I am concerned they were nothing, but liars. I think it gets much harder as time goes by because as I am growing up there is only one person I wish could see is you. As I’m sitting in my room as I try to write this to you
I’m so sorry that it’s not good enough it’s just that everything seems wrong
and I keep bursting into tears because the pain won’t go away
because the father took you and I’ll never get to see you again. I have so much to say. I’ll make a deal with you everyday I will write you on here okay?
Love Ci
Love you Mom. Miss you dearly and think of you every day. You look beautiful in that pink, so cheery!