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.