Louise Avery Lewis

Portland, ME - Louise Avery Lewis (neé Smith) joined her life partner, Charles Neville Lewis, in a place of peace on May 12, 2022, at the age of 92. She was a devoted wife and mother, an avid gardener and reader, and always keen to take on the next adventure in life.

Louise was born on the Main Line outside of Philadelphia in 1929 to Sidney and Irma Smith. After she attended the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr and Sullins Academy in Bristol, Virginia, she met the love of her life, Neville, and married on June 19th, 1948. She was his first mate for 73 years of love and adventure, be it on the high seas as they sailed around the world from 1975 to 1979, traversing the United States in their pop-up tent-trailer, or uprooting and creating a new life in the welcoming community of Cushing, Maine. While there, she deepened her interest in art by serving as a docent at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, created magnificent gardens of bonsai and flowers at their home, read countless books with friends, and collected many a teddy bear.

Louise was the consummate mother to five children: Nima Marsh, Dr. Neville Lewis, Bruce Lewis, Sydney Lewis, and Christopher Lewis. She nurtured and supported their unique interests by serving as a Girl Scout leader and Boy Scout den mother, shuttling them to ballet and music lessons, and always finding a quiet space for reading to them. She will be sorely missed by her children, her 9 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

Per her request, no funeral services will be held. Donations may be made in her memory to The Farnsworth Art Museum, 16 Museum Street, Rockland, ME 04841.