Gilford---Elinor Drake Lewis, 87, of Gilford, N.H. and formerly of Stoneham, Mass., passed peacefully at the Laconia Rehabilitation Center – Genesis on Sunday, March 25, 2012 surrounded by loving family members.
Elinor was born February 11, 1925 in Arlington, Mass., the daughter of Oscar H. and Helen G. (Cook) Drake. She had been a resident of Gilford, N.H. since 1980.
Elinor was the beloved wife of the late Robert E. Lewis and mother of four devoted children; Peter S. Lewis and wife, Mary, of Nashua, N.H., Leslie E. Lewis of Durham, N.H., Robert C. Lewis and fiancée, Melissa Howell, of Plymouth, N.H. and Kristin J. Campbell of Columbia, S.C. She was the proud grandmother of Jessica Knight of South Carolina, Sue Campbell of Texas, Jeffrey Lewis and wife, Claire, of Massachusetts, Stephany Lewis of Arizona and Gregory Lewis of New Hampshire and four great grandchildren. Elinor is also survived by brother, Richard Burke, of Winchester, Mass. and by sister, Kathleen VanderSluys, of Nashua, N.H.
Elinor was an avid birdwatcher for over fifty years and one of the founders and co-presidents of the Stoneham, MA Bird Club who were much sought after for their expertise. They were known for their international travels while enduring many hardships in their search for elusive species. She also spent much of her life as an award winning local watercolor artist, was an active member of the Laconia Art Association and a former volunteer at the Lakes Region General Hospital.
For those wishing to pay their respects, family and friends are invited to attend a celebration in remembrance of Elinor’s life and accomplishments on Sunday, April 1, 2012 from 2-4PM at Pitman’s Freight Room, 94 New Salem Street, Laconia, N.H.
A private interment ceremony will be at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Arlington, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the New Hampshire Audubon Society, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.