Esther H. Lewis

Esther H. Lewis, a long-time resident of Strasburg, died peacefully at Oak
Leaf Manor on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 in her 100th year. Born on Groffdale Road in Bareville, she was the daughter of the late David and Elizabeth Futer High. Esther was the loving wife of the late William F. Lewis, a cook at Joe Myer's Diner and Drive-In Restaurant for over 50 years. She graduated from Upper Leacock and New Holland High Schools and received an Arts degree from Kutztown in 1931. An art teacher in many of the county schools before consolidation took place, she retired from the Pequea Valley School District in 1973. Starting her art career in Mountville, she taught in Elizabethtown, Strasburg, Christiana, Paradise and Quarryville. She was instrumental in starting a Kindergarten in the 1950s, having school in her basement for youngsters in the Strasburg area, since public schools did not require kindergarten then. A very creative individual, she made many quilts, designed her Strasburg home, did portraits, watercolors, upholstered furniture, hooked rugs, had a large vegetable garden, loved birds and wildflowers, and wrote poetry. A socially-minded person, she organized bowling leagues when the Garden Spot Alley first opened in Strasburg, and she helped to raise money for the Strasburg Community Pool. Once President of the Garden Spot Toastmistress Club, she was active in many discussion and book clubs, also volunteering for Office of the Aging. A searcher, a thinker, an avid reader, she was a friend of the Unitarian Universalist Church. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing for many people close to Strasburg. Esther loved playing cards, all kinds of games, especially bridge. Besides spending quality time with her daughter, another of her biggest delights was having meaningful conversation with good friends. She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed.

Surviving is her only child, Barbara, wife of Douglas R. Eyman of Lancaster, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration in honor of her life will be held at the Willow Valley Chapel, 2416 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. Friends may visit with the family at the Chapel on Sunday afternoon from 3:30 p. m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Esther's memory to the Strasburg Community Parks Foundation, P. O. Box 222, Strasburg, PA. 17579.