Patricia Ann Lewis

Patricia Ann Lewis was born March 17, 1937 in Dayton, OH, to Kathryn and Curtis McMahon. She passed on December 31, 2022 in Sylvania, OH, at the age of 85. Pat was always an avid reader with a great love of books, and after starting her career as a teenager at Wright Memorial Public Library in Dayton, she went on to earn a Bachelor's degree at Miami University. After marrying the love of her life, Charles Lewis, in 1958, and having three children, she and her family moved to Sylvania, OH in 1969, where she continued to hold a full-time job, raise children, and take classes in the evening in order to earn a Master of Library Science at the University of Michigan. She went on to hold numerous leadership roles in libraries throughout the state of Ohio, not the least of which was the Director of the Sylvania branch, followed by being appointed as the Head of Extension of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. After retiring from that position and moving to Lebanon, OH, she came out of retirement to work as Director of the Fairfield Lane Library near Cincinnati. From 1991 to 1999, Pat held her final position as Director of the Mary L. Cook Public Library in Waynesville, Ohio. She was one of the most skilled and knowledgeable librarians to work for Ohio's public library system. Her work ethic and dedication to service was an inspiration to all who knew her. After temporarily retiring again, Pat and Charlie moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where they lived in a home they called the "Tree House", and every day was another day in paradise. They lived life to the fullest, hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, bird watching, and enjoying the endlessly scenic Little River. They also indulged in their love of travel, visiting far-flung countries in Europe and Central America, as well as the beautiful lands of Australia and New Zealand. After her husband's passing, Pat returned to northern Ohio to be closer to her grandchildren. Her grandchildren can attest to the many "Grammy Adventures" to Florida and the Caribbean Islands that they enjoyed. The walls of her home in Sylvania were filled with framed photographs from the many places she visited. Pat was a matriarch who loved her family. You could always count on her to be straightforward and honest. She was generous with her knowledge and mentored many young, aspiring professionals. She will be greatly missed. Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Charlie. She is survived by her sisters, Carolyn Watkins of Dayton, OH, and Marile "Moni" Tarr (John) of Richmond, VA, her three children, Eric Lewis of Holland, OH, Michael Lewis (Marsha) of Toledo, and Lisa Hoffer (Thomas) of Columbus, and two grandchildren, Dylan and Hayley Lewis. A private, family memorial service will be held in Dayton, Ohio, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to your local public library or to The Nature Conservancy.

Tributes

Patricia Ann Lewis

March 17, 1937 - December 31, 2022