Grietje Lewis

Grietje Schouten Lewis, a devoted Christian, began her first day of eternal life July 26, 2021 with her blessed Savior.

Grietje was born January 18, 1929 in The Netherlands to Dirk Schouten and Trijntje Walst. She lost her father at the age of nine during the atrocities of WWII; struggled to rebuild a life after the Nazi regime, and faced the challenges of immigrating to the United States.

In 1956, she followed her sister to Chicago, IL where she graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago. It was there that she met and married a tall, young, handsome Patent Attorney, named Walter Lewis, Navy Veteran. She continued her nursing career as a volunteer in Cook County Hospital and Visiting Nurses Association in Chicago, IL.

Soon after they married they moved to Scarsdale, NY where she pursued her career as a neuro-surgical RN in NY. She did much community and church volunteer work while raising her three children. She also was an EMT and Volunteer Ambulance driver in Scarsdale.

Shortly after the passing of her husband, she moved to Ocala, FL in 1994. She served the community and the citizens of Ocala through many outreach programs volunteering her time, talents and passion to inspire others including 8 years of service to a juvenile prison ministry where she taught sculpting classes. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Ocala, Sunday School, Prayer and Bible Study groups and Presbyterian Women and served as a Deacon in FPC.

Grietje appreciated the solace and attention of the Blessed Trinity Church and attended the 4 o’clock Saturday masses and are grateful to a Deacon who was a good friend in her last days.

Most of her artwork consisted of marble, wood, stone were inspired by the Lord and has been acquired and donated to churches across the country and Europe. Several pieces of her artwork are on display in the Marion County Library and schools where she also taught art classes. Her life-size nativity scene on 16th Street at Christmas time was also incorporated in the Ocala Christmas parade.

She is survived by two sisters Tineke Schouten, Ocala, FL and Herma Lengkeek of Alkmaar, The Netherlands; children Dirk Lewis (Teresa) Ocala, FL, Julie G. Kennedy (Michael) of Raleigh, NC and Thomas S. Lewis (Lesley) of Manhattan, NY; seven grandchildren, a son-in-law and daughter-in-law and a great grandchild on the way.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 30, from 5 to 7 pm at the Countryside Funeral Home in Anthony and a Celebration of Life at First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am on Sunday, August 1, 2021.  Proper Covid mandates observed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to First Presbyterian Church, Blessed Trinity Church, Interfaith Emergency Services, or Hospice of Marion County.