Dorothy E. Lewis, age 89, of Escanaba died Saturday, January 14th, 2006 at the home of her daughter in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

They called her Dorothy, Dorothy Elizabeth, Dottie, and Dottsie. She was a friend, an aunt, a sister, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. She had names and many titles, but her most important was to be called “mother”. Although we don’t know how we will live without her, we hope to find peace in knowing that she was ready to leave us and ready to find eternal peace and happiness. We hope there will be comfort in knowing that she had lived her life to the fullest. She not only had, but provided more than her share of fun and laughs for everyone around her. Her familiar toast to “health, wealth, and happiness, God loves you and I do too” will live on in those who knew her.

Dorothy was the first born of 4 children to Jalmar and Phoebe Joki. Speaking only Finnish when she started school, she was proud to her Finnish decent and still spoke Finn to anyone who knew the language.

Born on July 21st, 1916 in Negaunee, Michigan, she attended school in Negaunee and Escanaba. She loved to learn everyday throughout her life, reminding us always that you learn something new every day.

She graduated with honors from Escanaba High School in 1934 and married her lifelong partner and classmate, Vincent H. Lewis, on January 15th, 1937. They were married for 65 years when he passed away on July 24th, 2002. Living most of her life in Escanaba, they raised their seven children there. Her working years were as a secretary first to her father-in-law at L & L Trucking Company and then as an executive secretary to the President of the State Bank of Escanaba until her retirement in 1984, after 24 years.

An avid bowler for most of her life, as well as a bridge player, she was in many clubs and served as an officer for many organizations over the years. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and always enjoyed visits from her family. She was a Charter Member of the Lady Elks, serving many years as an officer and was given the honor of being voted “Lady Elk of the Year”. Dottie served her husband her family, and her community.

An avid fan to many sports, she especially loved the Detroit Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings, the Green Bay Packers, and golf. She faced many dilemmas when there were too many sports on TV at the same time. She took pride in knowing she could talk sports with the best, male or female.

Dorothy is survived by her seven children: Dean (Bette) Lewis of Palm Springs, California ;Sandra (Richard) Hiss of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Richard Lewis of Las Cruces , New Mexico; Linda (Jack) Shaski of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; Susan (Brent) Belleau of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; Michael (Mary Beth) Lewis of Crown Point, Indiana; Patricia (Robert) Rock of Inverness, Florida

She is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Her sister, Margaret Lewis, of Mackinac City, MI, her sister-in-law, Mae Joki, of L’anse, MI and her brother-in-law, Francis Lewis, of Escanaba also survive.

Although we will miss seeing her smile and her caring face, we know her spirit is here with us to lead us and support us through this difficult time. We will go on basing our decisions in life on what she would have wanted and expected from us. We will miss her dearly.

Please join our family for visitation on Tuesday at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba from 4:00 p.m. to 7::00 p.m. with Parish Prayers being recited at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Escanaba with Rev. Fr. Robb Jurkovich officiating. Luncheon will follow services in the church parish hall. Entombment will be in the Gardens of rest Cemetery; Wells.