Elizabeth Lewis

November 12, 1922 – December 8, 2015

Eastham, MA and Cleveland, OH – Dr. Elizabeth Lewis died peacefully at Epoch Senior Housing of Brewster, Massachusetts on December 8, 2015. Born in Baltimore, Maryland to Edmund L. Lewis and Estelle Sutterlin Lewis, she spent many years at 67 Hilltop Drive in West Hartford, Connecticut, before making a home in Cleveland, Ohio and later in Eastham, Massachusetts.

After receiving her BA in social work from Saint Joseph College in 1944, Betty received her MSW from the Univ. of Pittsburgh in 1946, and her Ph.D. in social work from Case Western Reserve in 1973. Betty was a professor of social work at Cleveland State University from 1973 until 1990. Her other affiliations and honors included the Greater Cleveland Neighborhoods Centers Association, the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups; the National Association of Social Workers and the Council on Social Work Education. In 2008, Betty earned the Distinguished Alumna Award at Saint Joseph College. Betty believed that social work with groups was the most effective way for individuals and families to take control of their lives and communities.

Betty was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Robert Edmund Lewis, of Canton, Connecticut, and her best friend and companion of 61 years, Dr. Edna F. Roth of Eastham, Massachusetts. She is survived by her niece, Linda Jean Lewis Betances and her nephew, Timothy Smith Lewis, both of Canton, Connecticut, and great nieces and nephews, Brittany Lewis and Peter Lewis both of Canton, Connecticut, Krystle Lewis of Florida, Emma Betances and her son, Elijah Raymond Betances, both of Canton, Connecticut.

Betty’s Guardian thanks Epoch Senior Housing of Brewster and the loving, supportive staff of the Clark Unit for their comfort, care, kindness and support of Betty throughout her stay.

Memorial donations in her memory would be welcomed by The University of Saint Joseph (designated to the "Caritas Conference Fund"), at 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT, 06117; The School of Social Work at Cleveland State University, at 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214; or to any Educational Institution or Educational Charity of one’s choice. Betty believed that education offered exciting and enjoyable opportunities that would allow one to discover their true potential.

A memorial service will be held in the spring at Fairview Cemetery in West Harford, Connecticut.

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.