Jenifer B. Lewis Obituary (1955 - 2018)

WINTHROP--Jenifer B. Lewis, of Winthrop, Maine, died on Wednesday, 12/26/18, at the age of 63. The cause of death was metastatic breast cancer. Jeni’s life can best be described as a Venn diagram of relationships. From early school-days friendships, to religious congregations, to work and ex-work buddies, to musical compatriots, to knitting circles, to bed-and-breakfast hosts, to fellow political activists, to science buffs, to people who just plain interested her or were friends of friends, and to her extended family, Jeni’s contact list seemed endless, and never stopped growing. She was that person who wrote, called, visited, emailed, texted, messaged, posted – whatever the medium of connection, Jeni mastered it, out of love for the people in her life. She was born in Montclair, NJ, and graduated from the tiny Wilson School, Mountain Lakes, NJ, in 1973. She remained lifelong friends with the six members of her class. Jeni graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Maine at Augusta with a Bachelor’s degree in Library and Information Services. This she accomplished while working full-time and undergoing chemotherapy for her first battle with breast cancer. She married Robert C. Berry in 1976. His death in 1980 did not loosen her ties to her in-laws, and she remained a beloved Berry family member for the rest of her life. She married James A. Lewis in 1990. She had a class in astronomy at Morris County Community College and developed a fascination with the objects in the sky that never diminished. She tried not to miss a full solar eclipse, traveling most recently to South Carolina for the experience. She found the line of work that permanently engaged her when she trained as a computer programmer. She expanded her skillset quickly, and worked in a variety of industries in that capacity, mostly as a consultant until she joined Central Maine Power as an employee. Jeni traveled the country, visiting all forty-eight contiguous states by the end of her twenties, and later Hawaii with Jim to experience one of those eclipses, but later in life she had a special love for the British Isles and Ireland, visiting the cities and countryside with Jim. Born to music, she took lessons in several instruments as a child and sang in several choirs and choruses, but Jeni found her instrument when she taught herself guitar. She had studied to become a lay minister for the Episcopal Church, and accompanying herself singing in a musical ministry at nursing homes. Her late mother, Ruth Baldwin White, AAGO and church organist for over fifty years, helped her learn chords and how to put together a religious service based on music. Jeni exulted in their partnership. Lucky children have a favorite aunt, and Jeni was that aunt, devoted to her nieces and nephew, somehow attending every production any of them performed in, no matter the travel complications. When her nieces were old enough to visit her in Maine on their own, she took delight in their arriving on her doorstep. Jeni personified the axiom that 80% of life is showing up. Whether in person or by snail mail or using electronics, Jeni could be counted on to show up. She made the most of her life and opportunities, uplifted her family and friends, and made the world a better place. Survivors include her husband James A. Lewis of Winthrop, Maine, her sister Melissa White and husband Robert Watts, of Georgetown, Massachusetts, her nieces Tempe Reynoso of Tenafly, New Jersey, Libby Watts of Seattle, Washington, and Lexi Watts of Georgetown, Massachusetts, a great niece, Cassandra Reynoso of Tenafly, New Jersey, and step-son Christopher Lewis, his wife Kimberly Lewis, and grandsons Zachary and Justin Lewis of Woolwich, New Jersey. A memorial service will be held in the spring on a yet to be determined date. Please make donations to the American Cancer Society, Metavivor dot org, or BCAction dot org. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta. Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com