Alvina Theresa Smellegar Lewis

Alvina Theresa Smellegar Lewis of Hawley Pennsylvania, former resident of Pearl River NY died
on Sunday, May 3rd, 2020. She was 91 years old. Alvina (Vi to her friends & family ) was born
in Nyack Hospital, Nyack, NY on September 10, 1928 to William and Theresa Smellegar. She
grew up in Pearl River and married Ronald O. Lewis on November 7, 1949. They lived for a
short time in Camp Shanks, Orangeburg, NY. They built their home in Pearl River in 1954 and
lived there until she and Ron retired and moved to North Carolina, in1992 where they lived for
20 years. They returned north to Hawley Pennsylvania to be closer to family during their senior
years. She and Ron celebrated their 70 years of love and devotion on their wedding
anniversary on November 7, 2019. Vi was baptized and confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church and graduated from Pearl River High School in 1948. During her days in Pearl River
she raised their 3 children who survive her, Ruth Orfini (husband Steve) of Hawley, PA, Robert
(Bob) Lewis, of Mechanicsville VA, and James (Jim) Lewis, of Hawley, PA. She is survived by
her husband, Ron, her 3 children, and 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and her
two sisters, Dorothy Boyle, and Ruth Astone along with many nieces and nephews. She is
predeceased by her twin sister, Arlene Rudden, and her two brothers, William Smellegar and
Robert Smellegar. Vi trained as a beautician and met Ron while both were working at the
former Rockland Psychiatric Hospital. After marriage, she was very active with the Pearl River
Hook & Ladder Ladies’ Auxillary for several years, she devoted her time to volunteering at
Good Shepherd as a Sunday Church School teacher and then worked on Altar Guild. She also
worked in the Pearl River Schools in the lunch program. She loved playing golf and watching
the matches on TV. She enjoyed her crafts and was ready to teach anyone how to do them.
She shared her love of nature and the outdoors with her children and grandchildren and great
grandchildren, especially taking them on some very long walks. Their adventures and stories
were a great entertainment for her. She will be interred in the Pearl River Cemetery on
Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Her loyalty and love for Pearl River has brought her back again. The
quote next to her Senior class picture says it all: Never an idle moment, but thrifty and
thoughtful of others.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alvina Theresa Smellegar Lewis, please visit our floral store.