Catalina Alicia Lewis

La Reina de Nuestra Casa

December 17, 1923-August 8, 2013

Cata was born on December 17, 1923 in Colon, Republic of Panama to Juan and Julia Rodriguez. She was raised and educated in Panama City, Panama. She attended primary and secondary schools in that city. Always a beauty, she was selected to be Queen of the Carnival representing her school at that festivity and parade. She graduated from the Escuela de Panama in 1943. She then went on to attend the University of Panama, graduating with a degree in Business and Economics in 1948. After completing her formal education she was employed by the Chase Manhattan Bank of Panama in their loan and securities department in the Balboa, Canal Zone branch and eventually in the main Panama City office where she rose to become the head of the department.

In 1962 Cata met Colonel (then Major) Addison Lewis who was then assigned to duties at Fort Clayton, Canal Zone. They were married on May 12 of that year and spent one year residing at Fort Clayton before being reassigned to duties in the United States. Her first child, Anamaria, was born in Panama City shortly before their departure for the U.S. After an assignment in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, the family moved to Colorado Springs where sons Thomas and Richard were born at the US Air Force Academy Hospital. The family then moved to assignments in New Mexico and Massachusetts whereupon she moved to Panama with the children while her husband was in Vietnam. After that assignment, the family relocated to Colorado Springs where her husband retired in 1979.

During both periods of residence in Colorado Springs she had a wide variety of friends and interests. Despite her sudden emersion in the military life, she quickly became a most skilled and charming Army Wife. She loved to entertain at her home and she was active in the Colorado Springs Assistance League where she worked in the Bargain Box, the Can You Hear Me program and fitting needy children with clothing. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was a Cub Scout den mother and assisted activities of her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop. She was a member of the Holy Apostles Church and later attended the Sacred Heart Parish.

She is survived by one daughter and two sons with their spouses and ten grandchildren.

Anamaria L. Mahon and husband George of Louisville, KY with their children George Andrew, Caitlin and Seth.

Thomas L. Lewis and wife Monica of Houston, TX with their children Nicole and Andrew.

Richard A. Lewis and wife Lara Lynn of Colorado Springs with their children Daniel, Rachel, Chloe, Brit and Ian.

In addition she is survived by her sister America de Noriega of Panama City, Republic of Panama and her husband Alberto and sister-in-law Ernestine Rodriguez of Cedar Rapids, plus numerous nieces and nephews in Panama and throughout the United States.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Apostles Catholic Church in Colorado Springs on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Assistance League of Colorado Springs, 318 E. Cimarron St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.