Obituary of Shelley Lewis

Shelley Lewis of Boca Grande, Florida, and Greenwich, Connecticut, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sibling, all of whose lives were enriched by her love and ever-present cheerfulness and caring spirit, passed away this week from complications related to a long-term battle with Alzheimer's dementia. 

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Roger; three children and their spouses: Jennifer (Ron Gerber), Brad (Jill) and Derek (Carrie); two stepchildren: Rob and Victoria and the lights of her life, her 8 grandchildren: Allie, Tim, Annabel, Gia, Eli, Sophie, Lila, and Nate.

Marion Shelley Scanlan was born Oct. 2, 1943 in Greenwich, Connecticut to James and Alice Ball Scanlan. She graduated from Mandl College in New York City and continued her interest in a lifelong learning by taking classes at Manhattasnville College and St. Mary';s College in Orinda, California. While taking a course on Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, one of her son's friends from high school, who was also in the class, asked him to ask his mother to drop out since she was spoiling the grading curve.

Throughout her life, Shelley was a person with a warm smile and attentive ear for anyone who wanted to talk. The family recalled jokingly that she woul talk to a wall if no one was available. Shelley would remember details of conversations with people she had not seen in years. Her four brothers and sister will always think of Shelley as vivacous, gracious, warm, affectionate, and someone who loved her lipsticks. It was imposible to be in a bad mood when Shelley was around.

Travel with her husband, Roger, was another favorite pastime. Shelley always visited with an eye for local fashon and interior design. Her favorite countries were New Zeland and Italy. Paris, which she visited many times, was her absolute favorite city.

Perhaps the best tribute to Shelley's life was that her children and their friends would talk about who they would like to come back as, the answer was one of Shellley's children, because she was the ultimate loving and supportive Mom.

There will be a service in Riverside, CT and a Memorial Service in Boca Grande. 

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to Saint Andrews Church, Boca Grande or Friends of Boca Grande Community Center.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shelley Lewis, please visit Tribute Store