In loving memory of
Fen Yu Lewis
October 16, 1944 – March 31, 2025
Virtual Memorial Gathering
Saturday, April 19, 2025
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A video recording is available below.
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Fen Yu Lewis Obituary
Fen (Yu) Lewis, a woman of strength, intelligence, and unwavering love, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, at the age of 80. Her life journey spanned continents and was marked by academic excellence, a fulfilling career, and a deep devotion to her family.
Born in Chongqing, Sichuan Province, China, Fen’s early childhood was spent with her paternal grandmother and uncles in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. This was a temporary arrangement until her parents could establish their family in Taiwan amidst a complex political landscape. At the age of three and a half, she was escorted by her uncle to Taiwan, joining her parents and soon becoming the eldest of four siblings: Fong, Leisure, and Liter. The family’s adventures continued when her father, a chemical engineer, was sent by the UN to Nowshera, Pakistan, where Fen spent her teenage years.
Fen excelled academically, graduating from a Catholic convent high school in Nowshera with the top mark in the state matriculation exam. She commenced her university studies at Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore, Pakistan. A pivotal moment arrived when American officers, stationed at a nearby Air Force base, encouraged her family to send Fen to pursue higher education in the United States. With their support, Fen embarked on a new chapter in the United States. She started her stay in the US getting a perm and working a drive-in restaurant – on roller skates – in Aurora, Colorado before she began her studies at St. Mary of the Springs College (now Ohio Dominican University) in Columbus, Ohio.
Her time at St. Mary’s was filled with joy and lasting friendships, most notably with Patty Georges. It was during a Christmas break with Patty that she met Rob (Bobby) Lewis, the friend of Patty’s brother. Their connection was immediate and profound, blossoming into a lifelong love that endured for 54 years until Rob’s passing in 2021. Fen and Rob married in Akron, Ohio, in 1967, a significant year as it marked the end of state bans on interracial marriage.
After earning her degree, Fen began a Master’s program in Chemistry at Marquette University, later transferring to the University of Akron after the birth of her first son, Robert. While she initially worked in the cosmetics industry, her passion for education and desire to be more present for her children, Robert and Kimberly, led her to a fulfilling career as a teacher. For over 40 years, she inspired young minds, with 35 of those years dedicated to teaching science and math at Strongsville High School in Ohio. Her dedication and impact were recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math Teaching in 1998. She was also repeatedly honored as the Most Influential Teacher by graduating classes, a testament to her lasting impact on her students, many of whom continued to send her Christmas cards decades later.
In retirement, Fen and Rob embraced a golden era in Sarasota, Florida, pursuing their passions and traveling extensively. Fen was a devoted birder and environmental advocate, volunteering as a bird steward to protect nesting birds on local beaches. She also shared her love of travel with Rob, embarking on cruises and visiting their children across the country. Fen and Rob were thrilled with the arrival of their first grandchild, Claire and later, Evelyn, to daughter Kimberly and son-in-law Morgan, and would spend summers in Colorado to host sleepovers and generally spoil them.
The diagnosis of Rob’s Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2014 brought a major shift to their lifestyle. They stayed closer to their Florida home to guard Rob’s health, though they still enjoyed much of the retired life with their Village Walk friends. Joy came with two more granddaughters, Eleanor and Caroline, born to son Robert and daughter-in-law Megann. This was a time of enjoying walks around their beautiful neighborhood, hosting family and enjoying friends. Fen raised many orchids and tended small gardens on her lanai, as well as enjoying the natural beauty of Florida.
Rob’s health declined precipitously in 2019 and Fen took on a new role of full-time caregiver. Fen had a motto throughout her life, “It’s not a question of ‘like’ or ‘don’t like’, it’s a question of do.” This is how she approached the difficult regimen of care for Rob, with diligence and unthinking self-sacrifice. Tragically, upon his death, she discovered that she was sick with cancer. In June 2022, she moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado to receive specialized medical attention for her illness and to be closer to Kimberly and make it easier for Robert to visit. She selected the Wind Crest Senior Living Community and found a second wind (no pun intended) in the wonderful people and fun activities, including swimming, mahjong, birding, and lecture series. She also adopted a cat, Tyger, who was her constant companion, including in walks around campus in his carrier. She liked to recite the William Blake poem to explain the spelling of Tyger’s name: “Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry?”
Fen celebrated her 80th birthday in October 2024, surrounded by family. Despite declining health, she remained resilient, cherishing her time with loved ones. Her spirit, characterized by strength and determination, never wavered.
Fen is survived by her children, Robert Lewis (Megann) and Kimberly Brown (Morgan); her granddaughters, Claire, Evelyn, Eleanor, and Caroline; and her siblings, Fong, Leisure, and Liter. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to an environmental or bird conservation organization of your choice, reflecting Fen’s lifelong passion for the natural world.
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As a good friend of Bob’s, I wish to extend my condolences to Robert and Kim. Their parents’ love for each other was always evident to all who witnessed it.. I’m sorry, Eric Sandstrom
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It was a beautiful service. She would be pleased..
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“Beautiful memories!”
This is Peter Michael (son) and Mary Petretich (mother & Fen’s college roommate) in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. We were not able to participate live last Saturday due to technical difficulties, but today we enjoyed Kimberly’s slide show and all the other video testimonies. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Since my dad (a career math teacher) passed two years ago I have been sharing this quotation about the greatness of teachers:
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” –Henry Adams
I feel that my father is still teaching me, and encouraging me!
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I did not know Fen as long as many others in her life, but as soon as I met her, I knew what a very special person she was. I especially appreciated her calm steadfastness, her curiosity and seeking out of knowledge, and her ability to connect with and draw strength from nature. We enjoyed many walks together, learning about local birds, wondering at the change of seasons, and hugging the large cottonwoods along the canal path–our “sisters.” Ray and I appreciated being able to meet her family and to see with what constant devotion they cared for her during her stay at Wind Crest, finding ways to create special occasions and devise solutions to help her get out and about. Fen’s commitment to Life, to her family and friends, to her pesky Tyger, all supplemented with a gentle humor, made her the special soul we will long remember. We miss you, Fen.
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Fen – a pillar of bright light! May your spirit soar like a beautiful song bird.
“Your are precious and honored in my sight, and … I love you”
Isaiah 43:4
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Lost a wonderful kind hearted friend. Will keep the good memories.,
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Fen was a beautiful loving person. My heartfelt condolences to Kim, Robert and family. Take comfort in knowing she will always live
in your hearts. You will always feel her love when you think of her. I know I will as I always felt it when she would see Rosie.
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Fen, you and Robert are, and will
be always, my dear fríends
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We knew Fen primarily through her two awesome children, Robert and Kim. I cannot think of a finer legacy to leave to the world.
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Several years ago we set out to purchase our FL home. Nerve wracking, of course, not the least of which was the idea of having attached villa neighbors. Little did we know that this wonderful couple would quickly become friends. Kind, funny, intelligent… and both taken way too soon. Fen and Rob- in our hearts always-we’ll continue to think of your family as ours. Ellen and Michael
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To the family of Fen,
Hi my name is Gary Dufour one of the scheduler’s here at the Blood Infusion Center at Anschutz. I am so sorry for your loss 🙁 Fen was truly an amazingly sweet woman and I will greatly miss seeing her. Sending Light, love and prayers to you all during this difficult time.
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I have the fortune knowing Fen for the past two years in Wind Crest. She is a friendly, thoughtful and kind person with strong will. Fen even took an effort to communicate with me in Chinese with good progress. I will miss her dearly.
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We would always run into Fen when she was out walking with Tyger. Her love of nature was always evident, and we would talk about the birds and our pets. Sometimes in the early morning we would have a brief conversation as I was watering plants in the courtyard and she would be on her balcony enjoying the sun. She always seemed to find the joy.
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Fen was more than an Aunt to me, she was effectively my mum version 2.0. In fact, back in the day at least to me, my mother and Fen were effectively interchangeable. She was always supportive of everything we did, as kids and as adults, and made an effort to stay in touch and up-to-speed on our lives despite the distance.
As Canadians, we are not able to receive many items that are easily available to Americans, and so whenever I had something that I could not ship directly to Canada, she was happy to receive and forward to me. It became a bit of an illicit sideshow for us. I think the last time I shipped a half dozen replica airsoft guns to her, that I was purchasing for my nephews, and despite her misgivings, she repackaged them and shipped them on to us here in Canada. I think I was pushing my luck a bit, but she played along.
Speaking of my niece and nephews, they all remember aunty Fen from her yearly visits to us here in B.C. My niece Gwen had this to say:
“My favorite memory of Aunty Fen visiting us was when she brought us huge crocodile gummies for all of us kids. I remember being so excited about them. I wish I had more opportunities to spend time with her, but the few times I did were some of the best. I’ll always fondly remember sneaking into NiNi’s office just to say hi to Aunty Fen during her routine Skype calls to catch up.”
Alex one of my nephews had this to add:
“I think my earliest memory of aunty fen was her teaching me how to play Go in the living room.”
And his brother William had this say about Fen:
“I always loved how kind and loving Auntie Fen was. She taught me how to play Go Fish, and I’ll never forget how she played with me for almost an entire day when she visited Greg and Fong’s house. She was so much fun and such a joy to be around. I was really hoping she’d come back sometime so we could play again. She was truly a wonderful person, and I loved her very, very much.”
And finally from my eldest nephew Rupert:
“When I think of Auntie Fen I am reminded of a time at NiNi and YeYe’s house when I was very sick. She woke up early and brought me some blankets and a glass of water. I felt much better afterwards, and I think it stuck with me then, that she was very patient and kind.”
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Although we lived in different countries, I always vividly remember the few times I got to see my Aunt Fen. She seemed to me, both when I was a child, and when I saw her interact with my children, as a model of kindness, compassion, and patience. She could spend hours with my young kids teaching them card games—patiently explaining the rules, having fun, and letting the game happen at their pace. I also always remember how many countless hours she dedicated to various causes and how much of an impression that left with me. I have done my utmost to incorporate that giving back spirit into my own life. She was an exceptional woman, always putting others before herself and I am grateful that both myself and my family were able to spend some time with her.
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I loved playing the game sequence with Fen on Saturday afternoon’s 2:00pm-3:30pm whenever she could join us. Always much laughter & fun as we visited & played together.
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Fen’s gentleness, her love, and her quick wit were a blessing to me and to the Wind Crest community. I loved her stories about Tyger!
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来自上海的问候。
惊悉俞芬大姐已离开我们的消息，远在上海的俞氏四兄妹心中非常难过，谨向大洋彼岸的同门三姐弟並俞芬的家人们致以我们最亲切的问候和我们深深的悼念。此时此刻，回想起18年前和俞芬夫妇在上海的团聚(有幸，那年我父亲尚健在)，是那样的温馨亲切，并且令人难以忘怀，正当我们一次又一次期待和你们再次欢聚一堂时，等来的却是意想不到的和俞芬大姐的永别。还联想到我们的父母亲在世的时候，常对我们说起有关你们父母和你们的那些往事，使我们从中受到良好的影响和家教。人生短暂，俱往矣。用我们中国人的话说，俞芬大姐已驾鹤西去，和西方人说的斯人已去天堂也可能是同一个意思。愿逝者安息，也愿我们在世的所有兄弟姐妹生活美满幸福安康，家庭幸福，有缘再相会。
俞志刚，俞志健，俞莹莹，俞亚雪
以及4个家庭的全部成员
2025年4月4日于上海。
Greetings from Shanghai.
We were shocked to learn that Sister Yu Fen had left us. The four Yu brothers and sisters who are far away in Shanghai are very sad. We would like to extend our warmest greetings and deep condolences to the three brothers and sisters of the same school and Yu Fen’s family across the ocean. At this moment, recalling the reunion with Yu Fen and her husband in Shanghai 18 years ago (fortunately, my father was still alive that year), it was so warm and unforgettable. Just when we were looking forward to reuniting with you again and again, what we waited for was the unexpected farewell to Sister Yu Fen. It also reminds us that when our parents were alive, they often told us about the past events about your parents and you, which gave us a good influence and family education. Life is short, and everything is gone. In the words of us Chinese, Sister Yu Fen has passed away, which may be the same as the Western saying that the person has gone to heaven. May the deceased rest in peace, and may all our brothers and sisters in the world live a happy and healthy life, have a happy family, and meet again if fate permits.
Yu Zhigang, Yu Zhijian, Yu Yingying, Yu Yaxue and all members of the four families in Shanghai on April 4, 2025.
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This is Robert, Fen and Rob’s son. I am grateful for all your memories of our Mom (and Dad). They are a comfort to read. My parents continue to teach me from beyond the grave about humility, effort, and caring.
Our Dad went first, but I know he was waiting on the Far Side Bank of Jordan to welcome her.
-r.
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Fen and I had a wonderful friendship. I will miss her dearly. We often had long talks about both of our lives. And, of course., we had lots of conversations about cats!! She was always positive about her illness and never complained. She enjoyed dinners and brunch with all of her friends here at Wind Crest. I’m so fortunate to have known her.
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I met Fen as a chemistry major at the College of St Mary of the Springs. We were freshmen together. But I lived at home while she lived in the dorm. Patty Georges, Margaret Maher, Mary Pachuta,, Judy Foulke, were among our best college friends. I was at her wedding to Rob! Many years later we reconnected when my husband and I took winter trips to Florida. We had many conversations especially about the current political situation in the country. I knew Rob was ill but I didn’t realize she was also. My sympathies to Kimberly and Robert. Your mother was a wonderful person and friend.
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Your Mom and Dad were always so very nice and appreciative when I visited with them in Sarasota. After Rob died, Fen and I would go to lunch when she came back to visit. Visiting with them and bringing them Communion seemed to bring a peace to us all. I will continue to miss them both. A Mass will be offered for both of them at St. Thomas More in Sarasota.
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I’m Patty Georges’ brother, as mentioned in Fen’s obituary. I still recall the day that Fen and Rob met at our house in Akron, Ohio, during the 1965 Christmas season. Patty had invited Fen to celebrate the holidays with us during their break from Ohio Dominican. A mutual friend brought Rob over that day. And so began a romance that lasted the rest of Fen & Rob’s lives.
Rest in peace, Fen. You had a life filled with love and achievements.
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We will
Miss her smiling friendly face.
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Fen was a friend – she would visit and have conversations with us in our apartment and on our deck. We would talk about our travels and our lives on the west coast of FLorida.. We will miss her.
Hank and Janice Rosen
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Fen was such a great lady! I miss the times we had together. My best memory is the time we went on a cruise with her and Rob to Hawaii. We had so much fun learning how to hula and then putting on a show for everyone. She will be missed by us and everyone that knew her. She was a special sister-n-law. She is with Rob now and smiling down on us. We love you Fen!! ❤️
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It was an absolute pleasure to know Fen. Unfortunately, I only knew her for a short time because I moved to Village Walk in August 2022.
I’m glad she was with her family while she was sick.
May she rest in peace💐🙏
Grace Mancuso-Pagel
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Fen is a sweet and Kind Lady, We loved watching her play with her dear Cat Tyger. She will be missed on our floor.
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Our sincere condolences to the family of Fen Lewis. On the occasions when we were blessed to be with Fen and Rob (and their children at that time) in Akron, we enjoyed her presence very much. May the Lord comfort you with His love during this time of bereavement.
-Joel and Serena Cochran
Akron, Ohio
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Fen was a great friend that lived across the hall. We particularly enjoyed going to Sunday Brunch, either just the two of us or a small group. She had an amazing life and shared it with her friends. Her family was so important to her.
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I am deeply saddened by the loss of our dear Fen. In the three years that I was fortunate to know her, she radiated kindness, humility, and unwavering positivity—even when she faced personal challenges in silence. Fen’s caring nature and gentle spirit enriched our community, and I am grateful for every moment shared with her. Her strength and grace will continue to inspire me every day. I will miss her dearly.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Lionel
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The Lord Jesus Christ graced me with the best of “big sister” Fen in the Yu family. She excelled in love, grace, patience, wisdom, and much more. Fen showed ‘devoted loving kindness” to her mother, Nian Nian, when she was in failing health along with her beloved sister Fong in Vancouver, BC; to Susan, my wife when she was ill with acute kidney failure in California; and of course to her beloved Rob in Florida when he was sick. God planned that your passing day is the same as Susan’s birthday of 3/31/1950. Fen and Rob were one of a kind created in the image of God. I will miss you both dearly.
Wise words by King Solomon from God: Ecclesiastes 7:1 Better is a good name than good oil,
And better is the day of one’s death than the day of one’s birth.2 Better to go to a house of mourning
Than to go to a house of feasting
Because that is the end of all mankind,
And the living puts this in his heart.
3 Better is vexation than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be merry.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
While the heart of fools is in the house of gladness. (Legacy Standard Bible).
With heartfelt Love and prayers for all of you, the living, to come to Jesus: repent, believe and follow Lord, Judge, King Jesus Christ for eternal life and not eternal death! Run to Jesus, joyful, peaceful, graceful, and live. Leisure 4/2/2025
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Fen and I have not ben particularly close at Wind Crest but I always enjoyed chatting or eating with her. About three weeks ago I received a beautiful card from her, thanking me for dinner invitations. I felt at the time that perhaps she was feeling she would not be out to dinner again. But that note was a beautiful end to our acquaintance. I’ll remember her fondlyl
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I often say Fen walking with Tyger and catching grasshoppers for him as she went. Tyger was somewhat fond of our dog, who would sniff his carrier. Fen will be missed at Wind Crest.
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I loved Fen. She was a sweet, smart, compassionate woman who had numerous interests. I always learned something from her when we conversed, whether it was about literature, raising cats, or the current political scene. Her delightful presence will be missed at Wind Crest.
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So enjoyed discussing politics, especially the Florida Democratic MIA version and your generous sharing of New Yorker Magazine
Rest In Peace, Fen, Rob also, God Bless You Both, will always cherish our friendship and memories.
Love, Chuck & Diane
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I only knew Fen for about two years , I checked on her home in Village Walk while she was in Colorado . I did not know she was sick until last year when she left for Colorado. She told me then she did not know when she would be back due to medical treatments .Fen was such a sweet lady,
Although she would get her point across to you & make you feel good about it! And I’m sure she was a great teacher & her students will remember her forever.
Fen had text me one morning she had a question , I was in Village Walk I so told her I would stop by
I don’t remember the question but we talked about our loses ( her husband & my wife) for a few minutes as I was leaving she noticed she had her breakfast in a pot on the stove it was over cooked!! AS I opened the front door she threw it out, I apologized told her I was sorry she said don’t worry I will just cook another one)
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We remember with much love our friend, Fen Lewis, with whom we shared many good times, during the three years that we all lived at Wind Crest. We learned about her love for science and the successful high school project she led under a NASA grant, and we were fortunate to share her love of humor when she would pass along her New Yorker magazines with their hilarious cartoons. God’s peace be with you, Fen.
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There will never be another.
A truly rich, compassionate, and lovely person.
Fen led with Love..
I will miss her.
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I love my grandmother more than words can describe. She has been such an influential presence in my life since my birth, and I am so grateful to have experienced her love for 15 amazing years. She is my motivation to continue on the path of self betterment and academic devotion. I will miss her extensively, and her legacy will continue to positively affect my life forever.