Ann was a dear friend of my wife Eileen and me, in the 17 years we lived in Williamsville and after.  We moved away in 1987, but fortunately were still close enough to come back often, and had almost yearly visits with Ann and Lionel until Eileen became ill in 2016.    I have not been able to get there in recent years, but had a meal out with Ann and Andy not too long ago.    Her arts and crafts were beautiful, with those Nevada colors.  Her food was pretty great also. I have missed being able to see her these last few years very much.   In the photo, we are the two people to Lionel's left. I used this photo in a slideshow about Eileen.

This is the first of about 10 pictures of Ann that we have accumulated over the 50 or so years we lived as neighbors in Williamsville. We will all miss her so much, and share our condolences with the family.

We will just add a caption to each. This one is "Ann at Rushford Cottage 1989"

Margaret and Colin Drury, Boulder CO

We at  Buffalo Lille, Buffalo’s Sister City in France, part of Sister Cities International founded by President Dwight Eisenhower, morn the loss of our dear former member, Ann W. Lewis. We send our most sincere condolences to her sons Peter and Andrew and the rest of her family and friends.
Dr. Bonnie Gordon Flickinger 3/20/25

Ann and I had so much in common: a love of music, art and French.
On visits to Buffalo, she took me to the Albright Knox museum, to the Buffalo Philharmonic,  to see examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's houses and to galleries and little restaurants.  We took long walks and talked about our mutual love of French culture.  

I wish we had shared more time together but just lived too far apart.  She was fearless about driving here in her Volvo, despite the distance. 

Here is a quotation in her handwriting:  "Adieu, dit le renard.  Voici mon secret.  It est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur.  L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. " A rough translation is "Good-bye said the fox. Here is my secret. It is very simple:  we see well only from the heart.  What is essential is invisible with the eyes."  

I think this quotation is from the fables of La Fontaine.  I am very sad that Ann is no longer with us but hold such fond memories of her in my heart.

To Peter and Andrew - Please accept my sincerest condolences.  Your Mom was a respected colleague.

Before Andy and I got married, Ann and I referred to each other as daughter-out-law and mother-out-law to our mutual great amusement. Ann created and appreciated soulful works of art (like this fish batik) and wonderful sons.

Ann and I sang together in the chorus for many years- one of the kindest, and most generous humans I have known. She always tried to get me to join the Alliance Francais but I was too insecure. Gifting her books, sharing her sweetness, and spreading her kindness everywhere. Sending her sons and family and friends sincere condolences. I am glad to have known her ❤️

Our mom was a devoted mother, and a lover of arts and crafts and of all things French. 
A member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus (originally Buffalo Schola Cantorum) for more than 40 years, active in the Alliance Française, and a former member of the Buffalo Craftsmen, at various times she practiced silk-screening, batik, patchwork, and other fiber arts.  She also enjoyed patronizing the arts by attending the philharmonic, visiting the Albright-Knox, the Burchfield Penney, and other art galleries, and supporting all sorts of local artists and craftspeople.
With a Master's degree in French from UB, after many years of being a stay-at-home mother, she started as a substitute French teacher at several local schools, and then found a position at D'Youville College and taught there for around 20 years.
She was unfailingly proud of her two sons, and was a dear friend to so many who she knew through arts, music, teaching, parenting, or just from around her Williamsville neighborhood.

OBITUARY

Ann W. Lewis

October 2, 1943 – March 9, 2025

Beach-Tuyn Funeral Home

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