Mrs. Irene Lewis

Niantic- Irene Isabel (Roulier) Lewis passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 29, 2012. Born on February 16, 1923, Mrs. Lewis was predeceased by her husband Robert E. Lewis, and sisters Jane Deno and Roma Roulier. Mrs. Lewis leaves behind two daughters and sons-in-law Donna and Richard Gada of Niantic, CT and Joanne and Thomas Gennette of Springfield, MA. She also leaves behind 5 grandchilden: Karen (O’Connor) Marryat and her husband Alan, Carol (O’Connor) Cave and her husband Richard, Julia (Gennette) Bekeritis and her husband Paul, James Gennette and his wife Michele, and Richard Gada Jr., as well as 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Lewis was born in Pittsfield, MA and lived most of her life in the farmhouse her grandfather built in Berkshire Village. Her husband served in both World War II and the Korean War, and she raised her two daughters while he served with the help of her mother Julia (Best) Roulier. She worked for over 25 years at the 1896 House in Williamstown, MA where she had the pleasure of serving Ted Kennedy, John Wayne and Doris Day, among many luminaries. She also managed the Berkshire News bookstore for a time and worked at the Lanesboro School Cafeteria where everyone called her “Gram”. She relocated to Niantic CT to be closer to family, and worked at Smith’s Pharmacy in Niantic and later Stop and Shop. Most recently she worked at Bayberries, where she was well known and much loved by customers and staff.

Mrs. Lewis was a member of the VFW where she was a chaplain, St. Agnes Church, and the St. Agnes Church Women’s Club. For many years she transported sick children from the Berkshire area to Boston Children’s Hospital so they could receive specialized medical treatment. She was an accomplished knitter, seamstress, cook and gardener, skills she passed to her daughters and granddaughters. She was extremely well read and was curious about everything and everyone. She made friends easily, and had friends of all ages. At 89, she was still meeting friends for coffee and having dinner with young people with whom she previously worked. She will be missed by three generations of her extended family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 10:00am in St. Agnes Churchn Niantic. Interment will be private. Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2012 from 6:00 until 9:00pm in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Ave., Niantic, CT 06357. Please visit www.fultontherouxniantic.com for photos, tributes, directions and more service information. Donations can be made in Mrs. Lewis’ memory to the Wounded Warriors Fund P.O.Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675 or the VFW Hall Restoration Fund., P.O.Box 380, Niantic, CT 06357