Beth Lewit was born in Willimantic, Connecticut on June 26, 1926. She was born on a farm and raised by her grandmother until she was about 5. When David was born, they were forced to move to an orphanage in New York City after the Great Depression as the family was not able to take care of them.
Around 1937, the Marcus family took Beth into their house as a foster child on Stuart Street in Brooklyn. Beth became close to their daughters, Joyce, Shirley, and Reba. The Lewit’s resided a block down the street. When Lionel met Beth, it was love at first sight.
Lionel had enlisted in the Army and told Beth they would get married when he returned from the war in Europe. After returning from Europe on leave, Lionel and Beth were married on June 15th, 1944. After the wedding, Beth lived with James and Rose. When Lionel was stationed in Georgia for additional training, Beth joined him in married housing. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Lionel and Beth moved into the cellar apartment of Lionel’s parents, James and Rose on Stuart Street, where their first son, Alan was born in 1949. They later moved to an apartment in Brooklyn.
Three months after Roni was born in 1953, Lionel and Beth moved to Bethpage, Long Island after buying a house. Scott was born in 1959, followed by Sandy in 1962.
Beth and Lionel were founding members of Lantern Theater and performed and directed numerous plays. Beth demonstrated her creative and resourceful side in making sets and costumes for multiple plays. She created a life size paper mâché of Venus on the half shell and used her art and creativity in everything she did. She designed Halloween costumes as well as clothing for the children. She learned to Belly Dance at age 50 and loved to make exotic costumes for herself and other dancers. She loved to sing and was involved with the adult education choir.
She was a certified yoga instructor and taught at Hofstra College. In 1991 Lionel and Beth followed Scott to the east coast of central Florida and had a house built in Malabar. They were followed shortly by Roni and her husband Dave.
For thirty plus years while living in Malabar Florida, Lionel and Beth watched the years go by happily garage sailing and creating a playful and artistic home. They welcomed many family visitors to their Florida oasis. They watched and welcomed as more grandchildren and, eventually, great grandchildren were added to the family tree.
On June 15th, 2019, Beth and Lionel celebrated their seventy-fifth anniversary with friends and family.
Lionel passed away in January of 2020. Their daughter, Sandy, and her husband Steve, moved down from Long Island to care for Beth. Like so many people who enjoy a long and happy marriage, the surviving spouse never fully recovers from the grief of losing their life partner. While Sandy and Steve were wonderful in caring for Beth, singing old songs together and watching old movies, Beth never really recovered from the hollowness of losing Lionel. Beth passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of Thursday, May 6th, 2021. The faithful know that that Beth has reunited with Lionel in heaven
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