Lydia A. Jewell

Lydia A. Jewell (née Messina) went peacefully into the arms of our Lord on our Blessed Mother’s feast day, the Queenship of Mary, August 22, 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she is predeceased by her parents, Joseph J. and Michelina Messina.

Lydia graduated from Hunter College, NY, with an undergraduate degree in mathematics in 1955, and a masters in guidance in 1956. She was initially employed at Wisdom Lane Junior High in Levittown, NY. Lydia married Kenneth J. Jewell in 1957 at St. Malachi Catholic Church, Brooklyn. Ken and Lydia were blessed with three children, starting the family in New York and subsequently moving to Clearwater, Florida in 1976. After 21 years of marriage, her husband Ken passed away in 1978. Continuing to raise three children as a single parent, Lydia worked as a math teacher at Northeast High School, then as a guidance counselor Tarpon High School, a math teacher and guidance counselor at Clearwater Central Catholic, and finally as a guidance counselor at Safety Harbor Middle School. Always eager to help those in need of counsel during difficult times, Lydia volunteered her time at Light of Christ Catholic Church, Clearwater, Florida, where she began a support group for those left without a spouse through death or divorce. For many years after her retirement, Lydia volunteered her counseling skills at Kimberly Home, Clearwater, Florida, furthering her commitment to the pro-life movement. After a four year struggle from the physical effects of a benign brain tumor, she entered into her eternal reward at Suncoast Hospice. Her family was privileged to be with her as she passed with grace and dignity accompanied with much prayer and love.

She is survived by her children Sr. Mary Eileen Jewell, PVMI, Lisa Kelley (Jay), Ken Jewell (Debi); grandchildren: Mary Orrico (Don), Catherine Ahearn (Nick), Joe Kelley (fiancée Lana Noguera), Jack Kelley (fiancée Gabriela Herrera), Justin Kelley, nSJ, Madeline Kelley (fiancée GianCarlo Troncoso), Lauren Rosier (Alex), Kage Jewell, and Ryan Jewell; 7 great grand children (Jensie Kelley, Jackson Kelley, Lucy Kelley, Annabella Orrico, Joshua Rosier, Aria Kelley and Maeve Ahearn); her brother, John Messina, and her sister, Anita Cardillo (Gerard); and many many nieces and nephews. "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matthew 25:21)

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Lydia A. Jewell (née Messina) went peacefully into the arms of our Lord on our Blessed Mother’s feast day, the Queenship of Mary, August 22, 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she is predeceased by her parents, Joseph J. and Michelina Messina.

Lydia graduated from Hunter College, NY, with an undergraduate degree in mathematics in 1955, and a masters in guidance in 1956. She was initially employed at Wisdom Lane Junior High in Levittown, NY. Lydia married Kenneth J. Jewell in 1957 at St. Malachi Catholic Church, Brooklyn. Ken and Lydia were blessed with three children, starting the family in New York and subsequently moving to Clearwater, Florida in 1976. After 21 years of marriage, her husband Ken passed away in 1978. Continuing to raise three children as a single parent, Lydia worked as a math teacher at Northeast High School, then as a guidance counselor Tarpon High School, a math teacher and guidance counselor at Clearwater Central Catholic, and finally as a guidance counselor at Safety Harbor Middle School. Always eager to help those in need of counsel during difficult times, Lydia volunteered her time at Light of Christ Catholic Church, Clearwater, Florida, where she began a support group for those left without a spouse through death or divorce. For many years after her retirement, Lydia volunteered her counseling skills at Kimberly Home, Clearwater, Florida, furthering her commitment to the pro-life movement. After a four year struggle from the physical effects of a benign brain tumor, she entered into her eternal reward at Suncoast Hospice. Her family was privileged to be with her as she passed with grace and dignity accompanied with much prayer and love.

She is survived by her children Sr. Mary Eileen Jewell, PVMI, Lisa Kelley (Jay), Ken Jewell (Debi); grandchildren: Mary Orrico (Don), Catherine Ahearn (Nick), Joe Kelley (fiancée Lana Noguera), Jack Kelley (fiancée Gabriela Herrera), Justin Kelley, nSJ, Madeline Kelley (fiancée GianCarlo Troncoso), Lauren Rosier (Alex), Kage Jewell, and Ryan Jewell; 7 great grand children (Jensie Kelley, Jackson Kelley, Lucy Kelley, Annabella Orrico, Joshua Rosier, Aria Kelley and Maeve Ahearn); her brother, John Messina, and her sister, Anita Cardillo (Gerard); and many many nieces and nephews. "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matthew 25:21)

In lieu of flowers, the family has kindly requested that donations be made to Kimberly Home Inc. https://www.kimberlyhome.org/id8.html