Loisanne Shinn Lewis

Loisanne Shinn Lewis aged 85 died on November 1, 2014 after a brief illness. Lois was born April 5, 1929 in Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of Rueben C. Shinn and Martie R. Tilton. Lois graduated from Mary Burnham School in Northampton, Mass in 1946 and much later continued studies at the University of RI taking selected subjects of interest to her. In 1949, Lois married the love of her life Carl J. Lewis and moved to Wakefield, Rhode Island. There, in addition to raising her family, she worked for a short time as a long distance telephone operator for Bell Telephone, teller at Pettasquamscutt Credit Union, and as an instructor of business machines and other duties in the office of the controller at the University of Rhode Island. She was a past matron of Eastern Star, member of Business and Professional Women’s Organization. She was a dedicated mother who always encouraged her children to follow their dreams. She enjoyed spending time with her children and was especially elated to go exploring the Great Swamp in Rhode Island with her teenage son in his boat or canoeing in local waterways. In the community she volunteered as a den mother for cub scouts. After she and her husband moved to Florida she was an enthusiastic volunteer at the Good Samaritan Mission in Wimauma, Florida assisting Hispanic children with their homework after school, while their parents worked. Lois was especially proud being able to speak to her charges and their parents in their native Spanish language, which she learned in high school. In addition to raising her family Lois enjoyed many hobbies which included caning chairs, making scale model miniature doll furniture, designing and making doll clothing, making framed dried flower arrangements and note cards, stamp collecting, knitting and playing bridge. Lois is survived by her sons John C. Lewis (Choi, MinSoo) Seoul Korea and James N. Lewis (Marlene Cameron), Wasilla Alaska; her sister, Elsie Oliver, Wasilla Alaska; Grandchildren: Nancy Ann Donovan (Sean Donovan), Robert W. Lewis, Michelle Mannion (Don Mannion), Sarah Morgan (Gregory Morgan), Carolynn Pierret (Julien Pierret) and Jacquelyn Thompson (Michael Thompson). Ten great grandchildren ages 2 – 16: Caitlyn and Kirstyn Donovan; Gregory, Rynne, Caden and Macey Mannion; Bryant, Corey and Aliyah Morgan; Maxima Pierret. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 15th, at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St, Wakefield, RI followed by a burial service in the New Fernwood Cemetery, Kingston, Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers, Lois would prefer a donation in her name to one of the following charities she faithfully supported: Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23453, Father Flanagan’s Boys Home, 234 Monsky Drive, Boys Town, NE 68010, Food for the Poor, Inc., 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073, or Lighthouse Ministries., Inc., PO Box 3112, Lakeland, FL 3380-3112.