Barbara Thompson Lewis

Barbara Jane Thompson Lewis died Monday, January 26, 2015, in the Palliative Care Unit of the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton, MD, after a valiant and hard battle with ovarian cancer. Barbara was born on August 9, 1947, the younger of the two children of George H. Thompson and Mabel C. Thompson of Easton, MD. As a life-long resident of Easton, Barbara attended public schools in Easton, graduating from Easton High School in 1965. She continued her education at Salisbury State University for one year and then left to marry Rodney Lewis of Easton on April 15, 1966. Barbara became a mother in 1967 and acted as a single parent while Rodney served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Upon his return, Barbara worked as a nursery school teacher and an elder care provider until she and Rodney opened a successful seafood business and restaurant, Treasures from the Deep. Barbara’s prowess as a chef and baker soon won her acclaim among her many customers. She was best known for cream of crab soup, potato rolls, white potato pie, and especially her apple dumplings. Sysco Foods even worked with Barbara to commercialize her apple dumplings as Chef Pierre’s apple dumplings. When the decision was made to close the restaurant, Barbara returned to Salisbury State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in history and a magisterial degree in sociology. With the newly minted degrees, in October 2000, a new chapter in Barbara’s life began when she joined Westat, a professional service corporation conducting social science research, statistical analysis, and evidence-based communications. Barbara was initially located at Westat offices in Chestertown, MD, but after two years that office was consolidated with the offices in Rockville, MD, and Barbara’s daily commute between Easton and Rockville, MD, began. Those many trips across the “bridge” continued for eleven years until she became consumed with ovarian cancer. Barbara is survived by the loves of her life, her son, Roger William Lewis, owner and operator of Monkeyboy Studios in Easton, MD, and professional drummer; her two grandchildren, Livia Jayne Lewis, nine years old, and Liam Thompson Lewis, seven years old. She is also survived by her older sister, Carolyn Thoroughgood; her niece, Kathryn Thoroughgood; and her great niece, Kate Melone of Greenville, DE. Her memorial service will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 South Harrison Street, Easton, MD, on February 7, 2015, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Lewis Grandchildren Fund, c/o The Talbot Bank, 8275 Elliott Road, Easton, MD 21601. Barbara will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. If we are to make sense of what is really incomprehensible at her passing, we should all keep Barbara alive in our lives—we should learn from Barbara’s light that glittered so brightly; we should have the courage to let our lights shine in this world as hers did and to never hold back.

Barbara Thompson Lewis

August 9, 1947 - January 26, 2015