Carmen Lee Lewelling, 1921 Colorado - 2007 - California
Billie Harris - Jul 3, 2008
Obit:
LEWELLING, Carmen Lee
Carmen was dedicated to her family first and then to the people of Loomis and the surrounding area. Born in Cortez, Colorado in 1921, she then came to the Loomis area as a young mother in 1944, residing here for over six decades. She was known for her love of people, strength, cheerfulness, sense of humor and for her joke telling. Carmen worked in the fruit sheds where her first husband, Jim Cooper, was a manager. Later she worked for 12 years as a clerk at the Main Drug Store, a gathering place for locals. In 1972 she continued community service as a receptionist, secretary and "Jill of all trades" at Sand's Foothill Chapel. She worked there for 32 years until it was closed in 2004. Carmen was asked to continue in a similar role for Lambert's Funeral Home in Roseville until 3 months ago when she became ill. For all those years, she said "her job was to mainly be a friend to the families in difficult times". Her director at Sand's Foothill Chapel said that "Carmen has really been a standard bearer, a fixture in the community and a terrific ambassador and employee".
Carmen peacefully passed away on March 26th in her Roseville home. She was 85.
Her family includes her first son, Tom Cooper, his wife Helen of Bethesda, Maryland. He is a Vice President of General Electric and Carmen points out proudly that the 1961 Del Oro High School graduate was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Air Force by Ronald Reagan. Her second son, Don Cooper and his wife Marcie live in Orangevale. Don is an enterostomal therapist. Carmen's daughter, Becky Coons and her husband Bob, live in Port Angeles, Washington. Becky works in retail and teaches swing dancing. When Carmen married John Lewelling, in 1970, she gained another son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Barbara Lewelling of Granite Bay. Jerry is a retired Program Director for Aerojet. Carmen was a loving grandmother to five grandchildren and five great-granddaughters.
Carmen was a long time member of the First United Church of Loomis at 6414 Brace Road, Loomis. Her Celebration of Life Service will be held there on Wednesday, April 4th at 10:30 AM.
Contributions, in her memory, may be made to: First United Methodist Church of Loomis Building Fund, 6414 Brace Road, Loomis, CA 95650, or Sutter VNA & Hospice, 1 Medical Plaza, Roseville, CA 95661.
Published in the Sacramento Bee on 4/3/2007.
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