Eileen Lewis Obituary (1958 - 2018)

Eileen “Feather” (she added that middle name herself) Lewis was born with Down syndrome on March 16, 1958. After enduring 60 years with that handicap, on March 20, 2018 she was freed from that body and graduated to something far better. Eileen was a blessing to her entire family and taught us many wonderful things. For example at one stage of her life, whenever Eileen heard the word “good” (even when it was not directed particularly at her), she would internalize the notion and say to herself: “You’re good Eileen!” This seemed to boost her confidence to carry on with life. We felt God was speaking through her to us, effectively telling us to stop beating ourselves up because of our imperfections and to take comfort in the idea that our true natures are good but that we inevitably make mistakes during this very well-designed and difficult test called “earth life”. Whenever we hear the word “good” we should follow Eileen’s lead and tell ourselves we are good, to encourage us to live up to that idea and to carry on as best as we can. In that, and many other ways, Eileen softened the hearts of her parents, her siblings, nieces, and nephews. She made us all kinder, more thoughtful, and more accepting of others. She even softened the hearts of other people. Our dad used to say that we got better treatment in restaurants when Eileen was with us. It may even have saved us a traffic ticket or two. While most people would be insulted to be called “spoiled”, Eileen loved the idea that she was spoiled. When we would say: “You’re spoiled Eileen!”, it would bring a huge smile to her face and she would agree whole-heartedly by saying: “Yeahhhhhhh!!!!” She was a genius of sorts among the Down’s population. Our father taught her how to play the piano. She could play “Silver Bells”, “the Sting”, and “Carolina Moon” on the piano. While she was trying to play something, her dad would often say something like: “No, Eileen. That should be more tonic, not a sub-dominant chord.” None of us knew what he was talking about, but Eileen did! She made the correction and played on. Contrary to the common practice at the time of her birth, her parents, Bert and Melba Lewis, did not institutionalize Eileen, but rather, raised her in our home with the rest of her siblings. We think this is the reason Eileen learned to do so many things well. Eileen was very good at reading and she loved to dance and play the guitar. Our mother taught her how to set the table and crochet afghans for all of her siblings. The various “flames” in Eileen’s life (in Chronological order) were Donnie Osmond, Shawn Cassidy of the Partridge Family (she even ran away from home once to join the Partridge Family), Greg of the Brady Bunch, and finally, Adam at her “Turn” day care program in Cedar City, Utah. Unfortunately for her, they were all unrequited loves, except perhaps for Adam. We think he liked her too but due to his handicap, he had a hard time expressing himself very clearly. Eileen will be missed for her loving nature, her sense of humor, her appreciation for fast food, and her killer dance moves. We are thankful that she was part of our family and are forever changed. Eileen is survived by her siblings Fred Lewis (and Gayle of Provo, Utah), Jane Cannon (and Roger of Idaho Falls, Idaho), Robert Lewis (and Jill of Orem, Utah), Tim Lewis (and Sheryl of Cedar City, Utah0 and Rachel Duwyenie Elthie (of San Carlos, Arizona). Eileen’s sister-in-law Sheryl was the one who bore the “lion’s share” of caring for Eileen for the last nineteen years. Her loving kindness to Eileen garnered all the family’s admiration and appreciation. Eileen will be interred in the Spanish Fork, Utah, cemetery next to her parents. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 24, at the LDS chapel on 1750 e. 750 S. in Spanish Fork, Utah.