Arlyne Lewis

Our mother, Arlyne Lewis, 87, passed at her home in Bangor, Maine on May 30, 2022. Mom was born February 24, 1935, in New York City as Arline Rosalie Leibowitz to Jack and Dorothy Leibowitz. Mom was the best mom we could have asked for. She was joyful and energetic. She worked her entire life as a registered nurse, but there was nothing more important to her than her family. Her children were the “candy kisses of her life and the delight of her heart.” She punctuated every conversation with, “I love you more.” She loved and collected people and provided homes to those in need. There was no one more beautiful, more handsome or smarter than the person she was talking to. Her home was the location for all gatherings – Passover, wedding showers, birthday parties. Mom was an expert quilter and knitter. She loved playing board games. Mahjong and backgammon were two of her favorites. She loved animals and was never without a dog or cat (or multiples of each) in her home. Mom was beautiful and fashionable. She loved clothes, pocketbooks, jewelry, make-up and shopping. She loved yard sales and coffee first thing in the morning. She served as a volunteer ombudsman for the state of Florida, investigating nursing homes and advocating on behalf of those who could not advocate on their own behalf.

Mom wrote poems and stories. In one published piece entitled Little Old Man, mom wrote, “For soon I too would grow old. With tottering steps he passed from view, While I hurried toward the future.”

You may pass from view, mom, but never from our hearts. You will be so missed.

Mom is survived by her children, Amy Faircloth (Sean), Warren Lewis (Marianne) and Joanne Lewis; her grandchildren, Brendan Faircloth (Alison), Ryan Faircloth and Ben Lewis; two great grandchildren, Mariah and Caitlyn; her siblings, Barbara Leigh (Barry), Carole Simmons and Arthur Leibowitz (Joellen); her beloved nieces, Brenda (Simmons) Shaffer, Sabrina (Rouse) Waijers and Jodie (Simmons) Carroll, Cousin Tracey (Cooper) Wijesinghe and numerous other loved friends and relatives.

Special thanks and love to Amanda and Kayla, her caregivers at the end of her life who nurtured and loved mom in ways we could not. Love and gratitude to our sister, Joanne, who saved mom’s life and provided her with a nurturing loving home when she was unable to care for herself.

Donations may be made to the Together Place Peer Run Recovery Center, 2 Second Street, Bangor, Maine 04401.

A celebration of mom’s life will be held Thursday, June 2 from 4-6 pm in-person in Bangor and by Zoom. We will sit shiva on Friday June 3 from 5-8 pm in-person only. Contact us for location and Zoom information. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.