Martha Lewis

Martha Lewis

1948-2023

Martha Schroeder Lewis died December 26th after undergoing 5 and a half years of treatment for metastatic colon cancer. Her devoted husband Charlie, family, and kind neighbors and friends supported her through this process. She faced her illness head on, directly, realistically, and engaged fully in treatment but did not fear death. She was most concerned about the welfare of Charlie and their beloved cat family.

Martha earned a BA at Brown University, Masters in Library Science at UNC Chapel Hill, and a Masters and PhD in Psychology at Northwestern, she had a full life: two meaningful careers each over 20 years long. She valued compassion and generosity. She cared deeply about animal welfare, social justice issues, and the environment. These concerns motivated her to volunteer in rape crisis support, in several animal rescue groups, and in native plant rescue.

As a psychologist, she served in community mental health centers, veterans’ hospitals, and private practice. For several years she worked with patients ranging from four to eighty-four years old. She eventually specialized in working with adults, focusing on trauma and grief. Her patients’ confidence and trust were the greatest honor for her.

Martha was predeceased by her sister Nancy Tarczy, oldest brother Ned Schroeder, and many adored rescue cats over 53. 5years, including Rebecca, Hawkeye, Trapper, Lt. Dish, Hotlips, Tommy, Kroger, Chessie, Maia, Rita, Kiri, Jimi, Phoebe, Forest, and Donna.

She is survived by loving husband Charlie; by brother Pete Schroeder and sister-in-law Linda of Flagler Beach, FL; by sister-in-law Barbara Lewis of Wilmington, DE; by cousins, nieces, and nephews; by close friends and colleagues; and by rescue cats Maude, Eva, Goldeneye, Momcat, Lynley, Morse, Gemma, Fern, and Nicola to be cared for by Charlie.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to be made in Martha’s memory to Independent Animal Rescue P.O. Box 14232 Durham, NC 27709-4232.

A remembrance gathering will be held at Donaldson Funeral Home Griffin Chapel on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 1pm.

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Lewis family.