Obituary of Catharine Lewis

Catharine Lewis, 93, of Garner, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2009 at Rex Rehab and Nursing Care Center in Raleigh. She was born and raised in the Midwest, and attended high school and college in Kansas and where she majored in Voice. Her love of music continued throughout her life. She was active in church choirs, was a long time choir director at First Presbyterian Church of Garner, and helped form the church's handbell choir. Her work in the church was recognized when she was named a Lifetime Member of the Presbyterian Women in 1998.

She and her husband, Elmer, enjoyed the life of a Navy career, living on both coasts and on Guam before retiring to North Carolina. She taught both elementary school and high school and directed numerous children's choirs.

She is survived by her daughter Barbara and husband Phil, son Robert, and a grandson, Christopher and his wife Lesley.

Aside from her family, the two most important parts of her life were her church and her 70 years in the P.E.O sorority where she held every local chapter office and was active in the State organization. Thanks to her many friends in these two organizations for their ongoing support.

The family will hold a private memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Garner at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2009.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation at www.pdf.org.

Arrangements by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh (www.montlawn.com)