July 14, 1920 – August 9, 2018
Roberta “Bobbe” Virgene Lewis, 98, was born to Arthur “Ike” and Velna Lewis on July 14, 1920 in Hood River, Oregon. She spent a happy childhood in White Salmon, WA, McMinnville, Prineville and Newberg, OR where she graduated from high school. She attended Oregon State College (now University) studying business and joined Pi Beta Phi sorority where she made many life-long friends.
World War II intervened and Bobbe left college to work various jobs in Portland and to marry her high school sweetheart, Walter E. Frank, Jr. who was soon deployed overseas. Upon his return from the war, he was employed by Goodyear who moved him to many cities around the West as well as a stint in Akron, Ohio. Bobbe and Walt moved many times and set up many homes, making numerous friends along the way.
Upon returning to Spokane to stay in the mid-sixties Bobbe and Walt made several close friends and enjoyed traveling with them over the years to local lakes, beaches as well as faraway countries.
Bobbe was very active in community organizations wherever she lived. Ongoing activities have included Hamblen Park Garden Club, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae clubs, Sew & Sew (making quilts for needy children); and Barton Literacy School (teaching English to immigrants).
She was active at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of which she and Walt were founding members, serving as Altar Guild President, Landscape chairman, Vestry secretary, Bazaar chairman, church school co- superintendent and teacher as well as go-to volunteer for over 50 years.
She and Walt were long-time members of Manito Golf and Country Club where she served on many committees and enjoyed playing the sport on a regular basis. Bobbe also loved playing bridge and Mahjongg and belonged to several groups over the years.
Bobbe’s favorite activities were gardening, sewing, reading, going to the beach, playing bridge and Mahjongg, golfing, playing games with her grand and great-grandchildren, traveling and entertaining. Her creative nature showed through in the many projects that she made for others – knitting, sewing, quilting, painting and cooking and whatever else struck her fancy, always done with love.
Bobbe provided a loving home for her family and a cheerful outlook for her many friends.
Bobbe was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years Walter E. Frank, Jr. She is survived by daughters Connie (Jerry) Mason, Christy (Tino) Jimenez and Cindy Frank (Darrell Bednark); 6 granddaughters, 8 great- grandchildren; and sister Sally Lewis Burger, plus several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 6 at 11:00 AM at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 5720 S. Perry, Spokane.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery in Spokane, or St. Stephens Episcopal Church Memorials Fund.
Bobbe was our good example -- Good bye, Merry Sunshine.
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