Penny Lewis • 1940-2023
Penny Lewis led a vibrant life of travel, service and community, and is much treasured in Seattle by the people and organizations she connected with. Penny spent her last days surrounded by friends and family, and buoyed by their company. She passed away from end stage renal disease on June 10, 2023. Friends are invited to make a donation in her name to programs that were important to her, which continue to have impact on the world:
Martha’s Moms Masters Women Rowing Team - Checks can be made out to Martha Beattie Endowment Fund and mailed to 810 W Blaine St, Seattle, Wa 98119. Questions? Contact Jan Chow : chow209@gmail.com
Pocock Rowing Foundation supports youth and diversity in the rowing community. Penny worked many hours to expand access to the sport she loved: Pocock Rowing Foundation
Urban Raptor Conservancy fosters research, education and conservation of Peregrine Falcons in the Puget sound area. Penny loved helping track Peregrine pairs nesting in the Arboretum, and under the University Bridge near her beloved house boat: Urban Raptor Conservancy
Born in Illinois, Penny grew up in Colorado and California. She attended Williamette university in Oregon, followed by nursing school at Columbia in New York City, where she met and married Robert Lewis, a surgeon in training. The young family was stationed with the Air Force in Iran and Spain before putting down roots in Seattle. Penny and Bob were married for 25 years and raised two children together.
A born organizer, Penny delighted in connecting colleagues and coworkers, who became lifelong friends. She served on the board of Lakeside School, and worked professionally for development offices at The Overlake School and the Washington Park Arboretum.
She lived for many years on a houseboat on Portage Bay, and was known to kayak to work through the Montlake Cut and on to the Arboretum.
A dedicated athlete, Penny was a co-founder of Martha’s Moms, a rowing team of master’s women. She trained, traveled and competed with teams for better than 25 years in Seattle’s rowing community. Those shared friendships and adventures were some of the dearest to her heart.
A talented watercolorist, Penny traveled and painted with friends in France, Italy, India and Africa. A devoted birder, she had a special interest in tracking the nesting habits of Seattle’s urban Peregrine population. For her 50th birthday, she organized a large group of volunteers to camp out and help with meadow restoration in Mount Rainier national park. Mountain Meadow Madness became an annual event which continued for another dozen years.
Penny was an enthusiastic volunteer, invaluable to organizations, including Row for the Cure, The Seattle Public Library Friend Shop, and Row to the Future.
Penny spent her last years surrounded by friends and family, and buoyed by their company. She passed away from end stage renal disease on June 10, 2023.
She is survived by her children, Greg and Karen Lewis, a sister, Pam, many beloved friends, godchildren, neices, nephews, and one grandson, Sam.
