Helen Lewis

Helen Arsenault Lewis passed gently into the Hands of God on Tuesday, the 4th of July 2017. She was born in Orange, Texas, on the 19th of March 1922, but spent the majority of her 95 years in Houston. She was in the loving professional care of Golden Palms Retirement & Health Center in Harlingen when she died.

Helen was an active member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, teaching weekly bridge classes, attending religious enrichment courses and joining in the adventures of the Sociable Seniors of the parish. She was also a Member Emeritus of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, serving for decades on various committees, pitching in wherever a helping hand was needed. She will especially be missed by Lady Fingers, a subcommittee that creates handmade items. She enjoyed the challenge of duplicate bridge and achieved her Life Masters status. Helen was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a select group of outstanding women educators.

She was valedictorian of St. Mary Catholic School. During her years at Orange High School, she received numerous honors: President of the Bengal Guards Drum and Bugle Corps; High School Favorite; recognition in Who's Who in American High Schools, always maintaining her place on the 'A' honors list. She attended The University of Texas at Austin, joining Delta Zeta Sorority and became one of the founding members of what is now the Texas Spirits, a pre-eminent women's service organization. She met her future husband while attending the University of Texas. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, and while awaiting her husband's return from World War II, Helen returned to Orange to help in the war effort by teaching and caring for the young children of the many women who went to work during the war.

Helen was a strong, yet kind and gentle, person of endurance and determination. After the war, she and her husband moved to Houston. Occasionally, she would substitute as a teacher. When she suddenly became widowed with three young children to raise, Helen's teaching career changed to full time. She later achieved her Master's Degree in Counseling. All during this time, Helen managed to put her children through college and law school.

Upon her retirement, Helen enjoyed traveling extensively, visiting Canada, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, England, Scotland, France, Romania, Italy, Turkey, and Hungary. Despite her extensive activities, she always managed to be there for her family.

Helen was pre-deceased by her husband Charles Edwin Lewis, Sr., her son John Francis Lewis (Wanda), her grandson Rev. Antonio Martinez, S.J., her parents and three siblings. She is survived by her daughter Carol Lewis Berryman (Jack), son Charles Edwin Lewis, Jr. (Mary), ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

The family is very grateful for the loving support and guidance of the assisted living staff at Golden Palms, Mrs. Nan Spears, Dr. Suja Pilli, and the personnel of Kindred Hospice. They especially appreciate the help of long-time friend, Rev. Lawrence J. Klein, Pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Harlingen, and the loving care and support of Mrs. Beatris Jimenez.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 11th of July, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where recitation of the Holy Rosary is to commence at seven o’clock.

The Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 12th of July, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston.

At Helen's request her family will gather for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, Helen requested that donations be directed to the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, 1203 Lovett Blvd., Houston, TX, 77006-3857, or to the charitable organization of one’s choice.