Janice Lewis

Janice Cunliffe Lewis, born March 10th 1925, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on November 10, 2013 in Longmeadow, MA after a long illness. She is predeceased by her husband, Richard Aborn Lewis and survived by her daughter, Deborah Lewis King of Somers, CT and her 2 cherished grandchildren, David Lewis King and Emily Elisabeth King. She also predeceased, just days ago, by her cousin and great friend, Bette Rhodes. Jan grew up in Springfield, attending Forest Park School and Classical High School. She received both her Undergraduate and Master’s degree in Chemistry from Mount Holyoke College and was very active in Mount Holyoke alumni activities. Both Jan and Richards’s families were entrepreneurs, Jan’s father owning Cunliffe Jewelers and Rich’s Dad owning Valley Press both located in downtown Springfield. Jan's first job upon graduation from Mount Holyoke was teaching Chemistry at Wellesley College, she subsequently married Rich and later continued her career teaching both math and chemistry at Hamden Hall Country Day School and St. Thomas' Day School in New Haven, CT. She was known for her warm, loving teaching style and there was often a card table set up in the house for tutoring the neighborhood children in trigonometry or calculus. She was a formidable bridge opponent, but not so threatening on the golf course despite her amazing hole in one at Woodbound Inn in Jafftrey, NH where the family spent many happy summer vacations. Living for many years in Hamden, CT, they were lifelong members of the High Lane Club and attended Spring Glen Congregational Church. As they aged, they moved first to Pilgrims Harbor and then to Ashlar Village in Wallingford joining many of their friends from Hamden. In her last years, she was surrounded by loving caretakers at the Jewish Nursing Home in Longmeadow. Jan was brave and full of grace during her final years battling Alzheimer’s disease. There will be a private family gathering in celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to send remembrances to Mount Holyoke College Office of Advancement 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075 in memory of Janice C. Lewis so that a tree may be dedicated in her honor at her beloved alma mater. Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels Enfield, CT has been entrusted with arrangements.