Imelda Tenore Lewis, 88, died peacefully at home in Bethlehem on Jan. 26, 2017.
She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Roderick Lewis; her sisters: Katherine (Tenore) Girone and Julia (Tenore) Rizzo; and her brothers: Anthony, Thomas and Frank Tenore. Raised in Maplewood, N.J., Imelda attended Columbia High School, where she met her husband. After school, Imelda worked for the telephone company in Newark for a few years, married Roderick and then raised their children in Roseland and Schooley’s Mountain, N.J.
Imelda worked for a time at the Schooley’s Mountain General Store and at West Morris Regional High School as a substitute teacher. In the mid-1980s she and Rod moved to their home in Lower Saucon Township. Imelda attended Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church and was an avid sewer and a great cook. She loved feeding and watching the birds, deer and other wildlife in the backyard. Imelda and Rod instilled a love of travel in their children, seeing much of the U.S. while the kids were still young. She also loved extended family and hosted an annual Father’s Day picnic in Lower Saucon for many years. Most of all, Imelda loved a good laugh. She found the humor in everyday life, delighting family, friends and caregivers.
SURVIVORS
She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Michael and Karen Lewis of Liberty, Maine; Christine Lewis and Mark Lacatena of Sellersville, Pa., Andrea Lewis and Jerry Brown of Laramie, Wyo., Imelda Lewis and Sammi McPherson of Oklee, Minn.; five grandchildren: Misty Lewis Phillips and husband Chris of St. Pauls, N.C., Michael Wade and Amber Lewis of Liberty, Maine, Chester Lewis of Laramie, Wyo., Eva and Robert Lacatena of Pittsfield, Mass.; three great-granddaughters: Jordan Phillips, Annabelle and Amelia Lewis; and many nieces and nephews
SERVICE
Family and friends are invited to a visitation period from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 22, 2017 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18015, which will be followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30. Interment will conclude services at Union Cemetery of Hellertown.
CONTRIBUTIONS
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be directed to St. Luke’s Hospice, Attn: Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015.
