Diana Lewis, Esq., a devoted sister, aunt, friend, attorney, and retired Circuit Court Judge passed away suddenly surrounded by family October 20, 2021. Diana was born January 3, 1953 at St Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach FL.
She attended St Juliana Elementary School, Cardinal Newman High School Class of 1969; she received her B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1974, her M.Ed. degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1976, and her J.D. degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1982, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; 1989, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. She worked as a Clerk of the 4th District Court of Appeals, had a wonderful career as a litigator defending medical malpractice and product liability lawsuits with law firms such as Walton Lantaff, Schroeder & Carson; Metzger & Sonneborn; Jones & Foster; Gay, Ramsey & Lewis; and Carlton Fields.
Diana was elected to the 15th Judicial Circuit Court in Florida and served from 2002 to 2015.
Her passion to her Catholic faith allowed her to serve on many boards, among them, the University of Notre Dame Law School Advisory Council, elected to Notre Dame University’s Board of Trustees and served as a Fellow of the University of Notre Dame. In addition to her service to Notre Dame, she was on the board of Catholic Relief Services, Our Lady of Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery and the DePorres Place literacy organization; a member of the Guild of Catholic Lawyers, Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities and the Forum Club; and a past president of the Frank J. Lewis Foundation. She was very generous with her time, talents and treasures to many non-profit organizations.
She is predeceased by her parents, Sen. Philip D. and Maryellen Lewis and two brothers, Kevin C (KC) Lewis and Mark Lewis. She is survived by her sisters Juliana Lewis, Paulette Lewis (Robby Cashman), Patty Lewis, Suzy Buckland (Bill); her brothers, Daniel (Elizabeth) and Neil (Carmen); her sister-in-law Mary Lewis-Moews (Steve). Cherished nieces and nephews: Julia Lewis, Mary Barnickel (Matt), Connor, Philip, Kayla, Jake, Haley, Hannah Lewis, Michael Buckland, Breeanna and Christina Navarro, Leah and Luke Cashman; grandnephews and grandniece, Ryan Lewis, Tucker and Ellie Barnickel. She also leaves a large extended family.
A Catholic Mass will be celebrated October 26, 2021, 1:30 pm at St Edwards Catholic Church at 144 N County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480. The family will be receiving friends in fellowship immediately following the Mass; details will be given at the Mass. Private interment will be on a later date, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, in the Palm Beaches. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in her honor, please consider CRS - Catholic Relief Services www.crs.org 228 W Lexington St, Baltimore, MD 21201 or to the Catholic Education Endowment Fund, C/O the Diocese of Palm Beach, 9995 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33418, or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center (561) 832-5171. To express condolences visit:quattlebaum-fh.com
