Obituary of Althea Lewis

Mrs. Althea Madeline (Schaff) Lewis, 92, of Naugatuck, passed away Thursday morning Jan. 2, 2014 at the home of her son. She was the widow of the late Harold C. Lewis, who passed away in 1998, after 56 years of marriage. Mrs. Lewis was born in Naugatuck, Sept. 28, 1921, a daughter of the late James M and Madeline (Ziegler) Schaff and was a lifelong borough resident. She was educated in the local school system and was a graduate of Naugatuck High School. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Union City, and a member and Past President of St. Mary's Altar Society. She was a member and Past President of Crusader Post # 1946 V.F.W. Auxiliary, a Past President of Unit # 17, American Legion Auxiliary both of Naugatuck. She was also a Past President of the 2nd District American Legion Auxiliary, Dept. of Conn and a member of the Past President's Club of these organizations and had served as Department President for the State American Legion Auxiliary in 1995-1996, and a member and Past L'Archivist of Solon # 60 8 & 40 of the American Legion Auxiliary. Althea had been active in Girl Scouting, having been active as a Girl Scout Leader for nearly 30 years and was a member and past Chaplain of Goodwill Chapter # 112, Order of the Eastern Star. She had served as Secretary of the Bicentennial Committee for the Borough of Naugatuck and was a former Republican Deputy Registrar of Voters. She was also a member of the American Association of Retired Persons. She was an avid traveler, visiting all 50 states and most recently traveling to Nunavut Canada and the outback of Australia. She leaves 3 sons, Harold J. Lewis (Susan) of Nobleboro, ME., John R. Lewis (Barbara) of Naugatuck, and Charles A. Lewis, Sr. (Nadine) of Goshen, NH; 3 daughters, Madeline L. Adkins (Robert Daigneault) of San Diego, CA, Althea L. Boyd (J. Stanley) of Carmichael, CA, and Karen Thompson of Naugatuck; a son-in-law, David Taylor of East Hartford; 12 grandchildren, Erica (Lewis) Hutchinson, Matthew J. Lewis, Sean R. Lewis, Melissa (Lewis) Teator, Pamela J. Thompson, Michael D. Taylor, Laura L. Taylor, Jessica Clarke, Randy Lewis, Rebecca (Lewis) Clayton, Charles Lewis, Jr. and Anthony Lewis and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her daughter, Orinda L. Taylor and her brother, Leonard J. Schaff. Her funeral service will be held on Monday Jan. 6, 2014 at 7 p.m. at the Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. Burial will be private in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday evening from 5 p.m. until the time of the service. The America Legion Auxiliary will conduct their service at the funeral home at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALA Memorial Grant Fund, American Legion Auxiliary, Dept. of Conn., P.O. Box 266, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-0266 or the Charity of the donor's choice.