Pamela Leach Lewis

Services will be held on Saturday, November 8th, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 114-03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Viewing begins at 10 a.m., followed by a short prayer service led by Father Rudolph Anthony at 11 a.m. Please come prepared to share any memories you have. For additional information, please contact 718-263-0800 or email [email protected]. Livestream https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/116882

Obituary – Pamela Leach Lewis:

Pamela Louine Leach Lewis — a bright light, a brilliant, trusted, and loyal humanitarian, and a standout trailblazer of her time — passed away at age 81, surrounded by family on Friday, October 31st, 2025. Her life was marked by excellence, compassion, and unwavering integrity in every role she held: as a daughter, wife, mother, sister, cousin, niece, aunt, mentor, and friend.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, New York City, Pamela was the beloved daughter of Pearl Lillian Leach and Gerald Parkinson Leach, and the devoted wife of the late Dr. Leslie Arthur Lewis (decd. April 14, 2024). She was the cherished mother of Christine Lillian Lewis and Nicole Edna Lewis, and a beloved sister to Leslie Gerald Leach, sister in-law Lynne A. Leach, and step sister Lori Speight.

Pamela’s extended family includes her Cousins Robin Leach Harris, Carlyle Leach, Thomas Leach Jr., Peter Goding, Lida Watson, Tina Rice, Frank Goding, Ramona Rollins Blanchard, Elaine Bangura; In-laws Shirley Lewis, Hons., Dr. Vaughan Lewis, Honor Louis, Angela Hudson Phillips, and Ronald Lewis; Barbara and Elizabeth Lewis; Bernard and Mary Theobalds, Rolly and Pearl Theobalds, Teddy Theobalds; her nieces and nephews Austin and Parker Leach, Sophia Mills St. Rose, Claire Lewis, Astrid Lewis Reedy, Thalia Lewis, Louisa Lewis Ward, Wayne, Adrian and Ivan Theobalds; as well as extensive cousins, generations, partners, close friends, and neighbors— all of whom adored her ebullient humor, grace, and guidance.

Pamela was educated in the New York City public school system, attending PS 137 in Brooklyn and JHS 59 in Queens where she also attended the Presbyterian church of St. Albans. She later graduated from Hunter College High School, Wellesley College (B.A.), Columbia University School of Law (J.D.), where she served as Editor, Survey of Human Rights Law, and met her husband to be, Leslie Lewis, while he was completing his PhD in Genetics. Pamela and Leslie were married soon after, on July 27th, 1968, after which Pamela continued her post graduate studies at New York University Law School (LL.M.), and the University of Paris (Sorbonne), where she earned a Certificate in Law and Economics of the European Economic Community.

Her legal career was distinguished by both accomplishment and service. She served as Associate General Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs at New York Presbyterian Hospital, following roles with Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy (Real Estate Department), American Express Company (Counsel, General Counsel’s Office), New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (Senior Enforcement Attorney), and Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Attorney, General Counsel’s Office).

Pamela also devoted herself to public and nonprofit leadership. She served as Trustee of Wellesley College, where she was a member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Compensation Committee, and Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. She was a Board Member of both the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Inc. and the United Way of New York City, and a Governor-appointed founding Trustee of the Interest on Lawyer Account Fund. In addition, she served as a member of the Grace Episcopal Church Vestry and Legal Advisor to its Development and Housing Committees.

Pamela’s life was one of brilliance, empathy, and purpose. She carried herself with the rare combination of intellectual rigor and deep humanity that inspired everyone fortunate enough to know her. After her many years of service, life demanded she become the recipient of care herself. A devout woman of faith she unstintingly persevered over 20 years of illness, and her legacy continues through the many lives she touched — family, colleagues, caregivers and friends alike.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Pearl L. Leach Financial Aid Fund in Honor of Pamela Leach Lewis at Wellesley College:

ONLINE: https://www.wellesley.edu/give

*Under Designation: scroll down to “Other” and type “The Pearl L. Leach Financial Aid Fund.”

BY MAIL:

Wellesley College Development Office

106 Central Street

Wellesley, MA 02481

*Make checks payable to Wellesley College

**Include Memo: To The Pearl L. Leach Financial Aid Fund in Honor of Pamela Leach Lewis.