Noreen Bridget Lewis (Nee Murphy)
November 24, 1933 to January 15, 2024
Obituary
The funeral service for Noreen Bridget Lewis will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.
Please click HERE to view the service
With great sadness we announce that Noreen Bridget Lewis (n. Murphy) died peacefully on January 15 at St. Clare’s Hospital.
Beloved wife of Dr. John Lewis – her life partner for 68 years – she was born Nov. 24, 1933 to Mary Moore and Patrick Murphy. Raised on Bell Island, the first of nine siblings, she was a brilliant student, earning degrees from St. FX and MUN, and worked in child welfare and later in education. Wed to John in 1957, she bore six children: two in Oxford, two in Uganda, and two in Newfoundland. Noreen was a dedicated teacher for three decades in Newfoundland and East Africa, where she spent more than 15 years in partnership with her husband. She received the 2018 YWCA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing her many contributions to community work in Newfoundland and Africa.
She leaves six children: Philip, Peter (Tracey Shave), John (Madeleine LeBlanc), Mary, Stephen, and Leah; nine beloved grandchildren: Marika, Patrick, Liam, Everett, Sarah, Anaïs, Ella Ray, Elsa and Felix.
She is survived by six siblings, an extended family of nieces, nephews and in-laws along with many friends around the world.
The family will receive visitors at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Friday, January 19th, from 2-4PM and 7-9PM. A funeral mass will be held at St. Teresa’s Church on Saturday, January 20th at 11AM.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on January 19, 2024
7-9 p.m. on January 19, 2024
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
11:00am, Saturday January 20th
St. Teresa's Parish
120 Mundy Pond Rd, St. John's
Very sorry to read about the loss of your Mom. May the many wonderful memories help you through this difficult time. Condolences to the entire family.
To John and the whole family, I Catherine and my whole family we are saying sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. I pray to God to give you strength and uplift your spirit through this difficult time.
God loved her so much and may her soul rest in Eternal life.
Leah,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother.
Sincere condolences to you and your family.
Dear Mary, Leah, and family,
Sending you all my sincere condolences during this very sad time. Your lovely obituary and everyone’s kind and expressive messages paint a beautiful picture of your mother’s vibrant personality and the amazing life she led. as a wife. mother, educator, and community member. Thinking, of your father as he marks the passing of his partner of 68 years – what a beautiful life of adventure they shared! Wishing you all strength and comfort as you navigate the coming days without her loving presence. Take care, Beth
John and family,
I was saddened to read of Noreen’s passing.
She was a great lady who I was lucky enough to know. We all created many memories that will never be forgotten. (Especially Long Hr.)
My thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time.
Peter, Tracey and families,
Terrible sorry to hear of your loss. I hope all of your wonderful memories help you get through this difficult time.
To the Lewis family. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy at this sad time. May beautiful memories and the love and support of family and friends bring you comfort and peace.
My condolences go out to all family members and all who knew her. I was a student of hers for a time but had the opportunity years later to cross paths with her once more. She was a sincere gentle and oh so strong lady. Rest in peace Noreen.
Dr. Lewis and all the family,
We mourn the loss of a wonderful woman who loved so deeply and who cared so much – a true disciple..
Prayerful support to Leah and you all as you grieve her loss.
Betty Rae Lee, pbvm
Peter, Tracey, Family & extended Family members, Sending you our condolences. . May pleasant memories comfort you as you grieve your Mom’s loss. I had the privilege of a lovely chat with her at your Gallery during one of your opening shows. Hugs Geri & Ron
So sad to hear of great aunt Noreen’s passing. I remember the last visit I had with her, she was so curious about my life in the Yukon, and we had such a lovely conversation! Beautiful service, glad Sean and I were able to watch from away. Love and Hugs to all!
Uncle John and my Lewis Cousins – I’m sorry to have learned of Aunt Noreen’s passing. She was always such a gentle soul and her passing will leave an unfillable absence in your lives. Take good care – with much love – Walter.
Peter, Tracey and the Lewis families,
I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I taught with your mom at Presentation. She had a special way with students and people,, in general. My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.
I am sending sincere condolences to Mary and the Lewis family. I only met your mom once but she was clearly a special person. May she softly land.
Sheila and Brenda
Sorry to hear of your sister’s passing Take care
Jqn Crocker
I had the pleasure of meeting Noreen here in Montreal a few years ago. She was elegant, poised and a lively conversationalist. These are qualities I see reflected in her accomplished and kind children. I am so sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences to all of you.
Patricia, friend of Philip’s.
Leah,
On behalf of faculty and staff at the Faculty of Education, Memorial University, we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mother.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Leah and family, My deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mother.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
My sincere sympathy to the Lewis and Murphy families. Noreen was a lovely lady who enjoyed our many bridge games. May her soul rest in peace.
Dear Lewis family, I am very saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing. A wonderful neighbour and friend to my mom. A brilliant passionate woman whose contribution to our community is legend. She will truly be missed by many. Sorry I am out of town this weekend but know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers as you celebrate a life well lived.
Dr. John, Mary and all the family., I am sorry for the loss of your wife and mother. I knew her as a wonderful woman always interested in the lives of all around her , including my own little family and myself Barbara Kate and Helen will miss her. I know your wonderful memories will keep her with you and her spark and smile continue on through her family and grandchildren will have fond memories of her forever.
Dear John and all the family. Do accept my warmest condolences.. I was saddened this morning to read of Noreen’s passing.
You’ll always be comforted by the memories you hold of this wonderful woman. I’m so sorry I am out of country and won’t be able to share any of those with you in person.
Dear John and all the family. Do accept my warmest condolences.. I was saddened this morning to read of Noreen’s passing.
You’ll always be comforted by the memories you hold of this wonderful woman. I’m so sorry I am out of country and won’t be able to share any of those with you in person.
The Lewis Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences! I got to know Noreen when we taught together at St.Pat’s School. She was a beautiful person and a great teacher! We even played some bridge in our retirement years!
May all your beautiful memories of Noreen be a great comfort at this difficult time! Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!!
Sandra Harnett
Deepest and dearest condolences for your family upon the loss of your mother, sister, wife, and aunt.
My sincere condolences to John, and all the family.. I have fond memories of Noreen starting from my university days in St. John’s. . She had a life well lived.
Sincere condolences to Dr.John and all of the Lewis family and to Sheila and all Noreen’s extended family. May your memories of her bring you comfort and strength and ,eventually peace , as you mourn her loss .May her gentle soul rest in peace. God Bless you all.
Evelyn and Gerrianne Devereaux
Peter
So sorry to hear about your Mom. She lived a long and active life. Please know that Heather and I are thinking about you and your family at this difficult time.
Tom and Heather LeGrow
To the Lewis family,
Sorry for your loss as Noreen was a wonderful, caring and kind person.
With regrets ,
Peggy and Paul O’Brien
Philip and family ,
May your memories of her be a blessing .
Tom
Sorry for your loss. Lots of good childhood memories. Lovely chatting with your mom recently.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Mrs Lewis was a human whose strength, integrity and thoughtfulness shone out to all who knew her. Being in her presence was almost electric as she was so fully there, seeing into your heart.
Her impact on you, her family and loved ones, will live on through you May you find strength in each other in this time of deep loss.
This verse from a Shakespeare song seemed a fitting piece to honour the dedication she showed in life, and the impact she had on so many.
Fear no more the heat o’ the sun
By William Shakespeare
Fear no more the heat o’ the sun,
Nor the furious winter’s rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta’en thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
Fear no more the frown o’ the great;
Thou art past the tyrant’s stroke;
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak:
The scepter, learning, physic, must
All follow this, and come to dust.
Fear no more the lightning flash,
Nor the all-dreaded thunder stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan:
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee, and come to dust.
No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have;
And renownèd be thy grave!
From Cymbeline, Act IV, Sc 2
My deepest condolences to all Noreen’s family. I had the great pleasure of being her home support worker for a period. I had such a wonderful time with her and we shared many nice conversations and many laughs. You my dear. Will be greatly missed. ❤️❤️
My heart is with the whole family at this devastating time. I had the gift of knowing Mrs. Lewis for over 40 years now, and I know what a loss her death is to everyone that loved her. Maybe now is a good time to remember the lyric “I am beside you. Look for me.” (from Ghosteen Speaks, by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds).
With great love and sadness,
Holly
Sending condolences to all who loved her, had the pleasure of meeting her when Dr Lewis, would fill in at the Dr A.A.Wilkinson Memorial Hospital in Old Perlican, and her Mother(Mary Moore) was a first cousin to my mother in law, who was Mary Anne (North) Murphy from Bay De Verde.. Condolences to you all.
I had the honor of being one of her students at Presentation .i remember her with fond memories and affection. God rest her soul
Sending my condolences to all of Noreen’s family. I met Noreen at the Delta fitness center and shared many pleasant chats with her. Noreen was a delight to know and her kindness was evident in every conversation. I am so sorry for your loss.
Phyllis Beckett
Dr. John and family: on behalf of my parents Michael and Loretta Maloney of Holyrood, and myself, I would like to extend our sincere condolences on Noreen’s passing. She lived a remarkable life and now may her gentle soul Rest in Peace.
Philip and family: please accept my condolences on the passing of your dear mother. May the memories that you have together of her long life bring you much comfort.
My deepest sympathy and condolences to John and her family. I always admired Noreen., she was a classy lady even when she was a teen. I was a school chum of her sister Rosemary..
Leah, Stephen and family, your mother was such a loving force in your family that saying good bye has to be very sad. We are thinking of you and offer our sincere condolences.
Ì know your mom and dad for a few years wonderful people good friends and always understanding i am so sorry for your loss
Noreen and John were so kind and so inspiring to me. My time with them in Masaka, Uganda over 25 years ago set me on course for the rest of my life, and their example of how to lead a life of service and charity has stayed with me all this time. I’ll always remember enjoying a nice Waragi & tonic together at the end of the day. Noreen was an amazing lady, clear to anyone who met her. Sending my deepest condolences to John, Leah, and the whole family – I’ll be thinking of you all.
What a pleasure to have spent time with Noreen and John in Kabanga Africa. I learned so much about Medicine, Africa and most importantly how to live with curiosity, love and conviction. What a remarkable woman whose grace has touched so many. I regret that I cannot be there in person to celebrate Noreen and her life well lived. My prayers and warm regards to John, Leah and family.
Martin Luther King said, life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others? Mrs. Lewis died on his birthday and Martin Luther King day. Her life and legacy and witness is testimony to that question. Well done good and faithful servant.. My deepest condolence to the family.
Dr John and Family
We are sending our deepest condolences and prayers as you mourn the loss of Noreen. May your precious memories bring solace to your broken hearts. A life well lived will be a life well celebrated. God Bless.
Jim and Marilyn King
GFW / Western Bay
My sister was indeed a most admiral person dedicating her life to helping those in need..She will be missed but what she passed on will be kindness, thoughtfulness, and awareness of the needs ❤ 💜 💙 of the needy.
Condolences to her Husband, John and her 6 amazing children whom we all loved dearly.
Written by her sister Sylvia Joan Murphy
My deepest condolences on your loss. Gentle Woman. May your Mom RIP.
Sending much love and comfort to all the Lewis family: Dr. Lewis, Mary, Leah, Stephen, Philip, Peter, John and the extended family. Mrs. Lewis was truly a Newfoundland pioneer in community work and teaching. I was grateful to have been taught by her in school, but more so influenced by her incredible contributions in community both locally and abroad. She raised an incredible family of thoughtful humans and her legacy will certainly live on in all of them. May she rest in peace.
My dear friend Noreen. I was shocked to hear of your sudden passing..I will be forever greatful for the time I spent with you & your lovely family..Sending my sincere condolences to you all for the loss of such a wonderful caring person..Heaven has gained another beautiful angel..Stay strong.
Our condolences to Dr. John and family. We came to know Noreen and Dr. John at St. Vincent de Paul – St. Teresa’s through our volunteering their with them. She was a lovely person. May she Rest In Peace.
Condolences to Dr. Lewis and all the family