Beverly Lewis

Obituary: Beverly Lewis

Beverly Lewis was born to Mildred and Harry Levy in 1929, the middle child between older Maxwell and younger Averil.

Always a glamorous presence, she caught the fancy of Wallace Lewis (Wally) while working in a retail establishment in New York City. It was she who asked him out on the first date, telling him that she had an extra ticket to see a show. They were married in 1951.

Wally and Beverly raised two children, Sanford (Sandy) and Debra (Debbie) , in Plainfield and Edison, New Jersey.

Beverly attended Jersey City State College, and taught first grade in North Plainfield public schools for many years. Later, she obtained a master’s degree at Kean College; this led to her second career in education, helping students overcome educational challenges as a Learning Disabilities Specialist. She also became a part time evening instructor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, while continuing her work on learning disabilities in North Plainfield Schools during the day.

She encouraged her children to follow their dreams. Sanford became a lawyer and filmmaker, and partnered with Jody Shapiro. Debra became an artist, married David Shapiro (no relation to Jody), and raised Bev’s two grandchildren, Adina and Ethan.

Beverly and Wally had a rich social circle, filled with ballroom and folk dancing with a large group of friends. Beverly also adored Broadway musicals, and attended many of them over the years with Debbie. Best of all were summers at the Jersey Shore, at the family’s beloved cottage on Long Beach Island.

Wally died unexpectedly in 2003. It was a terrible loss, but years later she met Jack McErlain. Jack brought sunshine back into Beverly’s life, and his family welcomed her with open arms. It was as though she gained a second family to love and be loved by. How lucky she was to have two families who adored her.

Beverly eventually moved to be near Debbie in North Jersey: first to Cedar Crest Community in Pompton Plains, and then Brightview Assisted Living in Wayne. She continued to attend theater, play poker, enjoy friends and family, and be her glamorous self right to the end.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ACLU at action.aclu.org