ROBERTA GAYLE (BERTA) LEWIS
1945-12-12 2009-11-14Roberta Gayle Lewis 1945 ~ 2009 Known by her family and friends as "Berta" or "Berd," she was born December 12, 1945 in Los Angeles to John and Catherine (Peggy) Lewis. Berta was the third of nine; her parents, along with sisters Bonny and Kathryn, preceded her in death. Berta grew up in Southern California and Arizona, where she loved spending her childhood with her three sisters, Christine, Kathryn and Bonny. From an early age, Berta displayed talents in the areas of music, acting and athletics. She made piano playing look easy and learned to play with very little formal instruction. The house was always filled with music when Berta was around. A gifted actress, Berta's favorite role in high school was Anne Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank" at Mesa High School in 1963. After two years at Brigham Young University, she moved to Los Angeles where she began her career in the motion picture industry, working for a variety of companies including Walt Disney, Paramount, and Twentieth Century Fox. In 1971 Berta was the victim of a serious automobile accident that severely damaged her leg. While she was able to keep her leg, she lived with chronic pain from that accident for the rest of her life and eventually required the help of a cane to walk. Throughout adversity, Berta always found the bright side and rarely complained about her physical limitations. In 1981 while living in Utah she was diagnosed with breast cancer and began treatments. After her breast cancer was in remission, she returned to California where she worked until a different form of cancer (mantle cell lymphoma) was discovered in 1997. Again, she beat the odds. Berta brought excitement and energy to everything she did. Her life was a fascinating story and she assumed that everyone else had just as fascinating a story waiting to be uncovered. She greeted everyone with a smile and an encouraging word. Berta was a wonderful listener and genuinely cared about others. She will always be remembered as our beloved sister and "Crazy Aunt Berd." Berta is survived by six siblings: Christine Lewis Owens (William) of Phoenix, AZ; John Lewis (Ann) of Orem; Barbara Lewis Camp (Lowell), Jeffrey Lewis (Kathleen), and Diana Lewis Wakimoto (Takema) of Alpine; and David Lewis (Celeste) of Highland; along with 29 nieces and nephews, two birds, Tinker and Bell, and generations of snails. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at 11 a.m. in the Stonewood Stake Center (450 S 100 W, Orem). Viewings will be held Wed, Nov. 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary (495 S State St, Orem), and preceding the funeral at the Stake Center beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com. |
PHOTO GIVEN TO US BY MARCIA CHALKBERTA IS SECOND FROM THE LEFT.CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE
tribute by TONYA COOMBSA new star was placed in the heavens November 14...the day that Berta Lewis passed away. She had fought four cancers during her 63 years plus a devastating car accident which altered the rest of her life. Throughout all the obstacles which came her way, Berta never gave up. She had more tenacity, bravery, fortitude and faith than any of my friends or patients I have known. She, in the midst of all her problems, was the one still reaching out to others, ...caring, loving, and showing her positive, many times comical, attitude. Berta was one of a kind. What a privilege it has been to know Berta as a childhood friend....and even more so as an adult. She and I reconnected through emails the last five years and I have saved everyone of them. I will let Berta talk to you in the next few lines...including the last email she wrote a few weeks before her passing. "Life is Good. I just hope I can retain this feeling and not ever get numb to feeling healthy. We take too much for granted, don't you agree. I am so glad I feel terrific. Yippee!" "Keep in touch with your friends. You never know when you will need each other. Keep the faith and do not forget to run in the rain. ..........I never want it to be said that I did not live....or run though the rain. Love, Berta" "So life continues to be good and I am as happy as a lark. I have no complaints. Life is really looking good to me at this time. Yes!" "Thank you so much for your prayers. I feel all of them and I am beyond grateful. Love, Berta" "I have been alive 12 years since the diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma, so I have no business complaining. The fact is, though, since I have been doing so well, it is hard to realize that I actually may die." "It is my friends who are keeping me gong. I just cannot tell you how much it means to me that you are standing by and supporting me in such a tender way. You are a very positive support for me." "Sometimes I wonder if it is really worth it to endure this kind of discomfort just to remain breathing. Then I have to remember that I still have good days, and as long as that is the case, I will continue to fight the Beast. Okay, that is all for now.....and the beat goes on! Love, Berta" Berta's last message to me and others was a sign that Berta knew her time was short...and it was her way of summing things up. "First of all, I want everyone to know that I love you very much. I feel your support and love and I am fortunate beyond words. As always, I love you. Berta" Berta will never die. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Her words will echo in our minds...and the twinkle in her eye will continue each time we see a picture of her. And all you have to do is look up in the sky at night and the brightest star you see will be Berta smiling down and saying one of favorite sayings, ....."and the beat goes on." Thank you God for giving us Berta and God bless you, Berta, for touching so many lives. With love, Linda Rowan Pries
tribute by LINDA ROWAN PRIESI have such fond memories of Berta in Mesa High Bunnies. She made me laugh, took time to share her inner thoughts and truly cared about others. I was so glad to reconnect a year ago. We shared a brief synopsis of our lives and in true Berta style, she made all of the things she has suffered seem unimportant and instead talked about how happy she was to be "HOME" with her family, after all these years and be sharing the most important things with them. Berta touched my life and I will remember her with love. Thanks, Berta. Marcia Chalk Wade
tribute by MARCIA CHALK WADEI found Berta about 3 years ago in Orem, UT, by chance. We talked many times after that, and she always made me feel better about life. She was truly a giving, kind, Christian person. I miss her very much.
tribute by Jayne Winterton Weight