Barbara Lewis

Barbara Louise (Stone) Lewis was born October 25th, 1939 and died February 29, 2024 at the age of 84. She was born and raised in Bethany, OK and was a 1957 graduate of Putnam City High School. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Dell Stone, her son, Todd and her ex-husband but good friend Harry.

Barbara is survived by her 2 daughters, Catherine Lewis of Dibble and Jane Thompson and her wife, Suzy of Eagan, MN. She is also survived by 2 grandchildren, Emily and Wendy and 2 great-grandchildren, Olivia whom she was a co-parent with Catherine for the past 8 years and Josiah Farmer.

Barbara dedicated her life to volunteer work. She was heavily involved in Girl Scouts, the Adult Literacy Program, and transcribed books into Braille. She did all of this while raising a family and working at Oklahoma City Abstract and Title full time. Barbara began working at Oklahoma City Abstract and Title in 1958 and worked there in many different positions until the end of her life. Barbara considered many of her OCA co-workers as her family and close friends.

Throughout her life she instilled the importance of community service with her children. Mother never wanted or expected to receive accolades or awards for her work. In fact she often shied away from the spotlight. She was passionate about her work with the dogs and that was her reward.

Barbara started with dogs 40 years ago with Obedience, progressing through all the various dog-training aspects such as agility, tracking and such. Barbara's passion and legacy is her non-profit, A New Leash On Life, Inc. New Leash provided Assistance Dogs, Therapy Dog training and certification and had a Prison Dog Training program which helped shelter dogs become more adoptable through training by inmates. New Leash will continue helping hundreds of people live more fulfilling lives with their dogs. Barbara had a way of bringing in the most caring volunteers to help with New Leash. Barbara authored a service dog book and was an officer of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors.

Catherine and Jane would especially like to thank Carrie Blumenthal, RN and her team with Oklahoma Palliative Care and Hospice as well as the Dixon Family from Oklahoma City Abstract and Title for their assistance, care and friendship.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to New Leash On Life, Inc. in care of Gill Barnett, 3305 Beverly Dr., Edmond, OK 73013 or the animal charity of your choice.

A celebration of life party for Barbara will be held Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bill Merritt Funeral Service, 6201 Northwest 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008.

We welcome all New Leash service dogs and New Leash Therapy Dogs at the Celebration party to honor her love of dogs and training.