On Thursday, March 7th 2019, our beloved sister Jacqueline Beatrice Lewis "Jackyé", went home to the Lord at the age of 62. She was a compassionate friend, fun loving entertainer, inspirational leader winning several awards for work, performing arts and fine arts enthusiast, world traveler, a radiant beauty, and avid reader who was renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Visitation will be held on Saturday April 6, 2019 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. at the Keyser Funeral Home at 326 Albany Ave., Kingston, NY 12401. Funeral services will follow immediately from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tim Kunz will be officiating. Afterward, Interment will take place in the Hurley Cemetery at 69-91 Zandhoek Rd., Hurley NY 12443. The family invites you to a luncheon from 2pm until later at the Wiltwyck County Club, 404 Steward Lane, Kingston, NY.
Jacqueline was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 18, 1956, to the late Corene and Leslie Lewis. Her education started at the One Room School House #6 in West Hurley, NY. She graduated from Onteora High School in Boiceville, NY in 1974 and continued on to receive her bachelor's degree in Marketing from Hofstra University.
Jackyé's career began at IBM where she worked for several years and held various professional positions in NY and CT. She transitioned to Boehringer Ingelheim and finished her career in Procurement at the Veteran's Administration in Montrose, NY. Jackye loved gardener, cooking, photography, tennis and crafts.
Our dearest Jacqueline is survived by: her loving partner- Calvin Saunders, her four sisters- Pamalar Lewis, Kathy Lewis, Brenda Lewis and Albertha Lewis, two brothers Leslie Lewis, Jr. and Leonard Lewis and brother in law Ray Alameda and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
We encourage you to post tributes (express your condolences, share a story or picture) about Jackyé on Keyser's webite at www.KeyserFuneralService.com.
Although she is in the happiest place with Christ, she will be sorely missed here. We thank God for her life and love! Her memory will forever remain in our hearts until we see her again in glory.
Tributes
Dotty Salisbury wrote on Dec 26, 2021:
"Jackye and I met at the one room school house when our family (French Family of 10 kids at that time) moved from Idaho to New York for 1 year. We became close friends and after moving back to Idaho we exchanged letters and cards until 2019. We shared the same birthday (her being born in 1956 and me in 1955). We called each other "cousins". When I didn't hear from her in 2019 I sent a card to her but it was returned. I decided to see if I could find her. I am so very sorry for the family's loss of this beautiful person. I rejoice to hear she is with the Lord. I lost my sister last year and our mother this past year. Our family remembers the Lewis family as kind and loving. May God be with you all and our deepest sympathies to you all. With love, Dotty (French) Salisbury. "
Judith Stahl wrote on Jun 13, 2019:
"I am only now hearing of Jackye's passing. We were good friends in junior high school and shared some wonderful times. Sadly, we lost touch, but the love I felt for her has never been far from my memory. I wish peace to her family. She was a dear one. "
Lynette Fields wrote on Apr 8, 2019:
"Me and Jacqueline
I?ve known Jacqueline for as long as I can remember. Since we
were born two months apart our biggest quarrel was which of
us was the boss of the other. Please note both of us were the
boss of everyone else in the house, all seven of them. My sister,
and Jaqueline?s two brothers and four sisters. My claim was;
?you have to listen and respect me because I am your elder.?
Her claim was; ?I am your aunt and relations trump age, so you
have to listen and respect me.? We agreed on mutual respect
but, as to who was the boss of whom, that was never settled.
My mother, Jackye?s sister would bring my sister and I ?up the
country? (a family phrase) and I was always excited to see
Jacqueline. She was the country girl and I was the city girl. We
spent most of our time up in her room with the door closed,
playing music, doing our nails, plotting one thing or another
and discussing which actor was better looking and which one
we were sure we would marry; Lionel Jefferson from The
Jefferson?s, The Fonz from Happy Days or Greg Brady from The
Brady Bunch. Doesn?t every girl between the ages of 12-17
absolutely know, without a doubt who they love and will
marry? We sure did. Then there were the radio announcers;
Frankie Crocker from WBLS verses Harry Harrison from WABC. I
miss those conversations, pure and innocent and such great
fun.
One of our grand plans was to run away. We had had enough of
chores and little siblings bothering us, banging and opening the
door while we were sharing secrets. So off we went. We didn?t
take any provisions and we had no money except for a bit of
change, but we did have grit and determination. We did not tell
her mother and my mother had gone back to the city to work.
So off we went. We did, however, feel confident in telling her
dad, my grandfather, that we were running away. First, we had
to find him but we knew he?d be somewhere on the yard (the
lumber yard). We found him in the shed, sawing wood. (To this
day, I love the smell of fresh wood.) So, we told Grandpa,
?we?re running away.? He said, ?Well, be careful on the road.?
We set out to find our destiny and get away from the tyranny at
the house. We got to the end of the driveway past the stone
house and walked left (I think) towards the reservoir. I don?t
think we had gotten past grandpa?s property line when we
discovered that we were hungry. We walked a bit further and
we knew that we were probably starving to death and would
possibly end up like the children of Biafra that we had seen on
television. We got back home just in time for dinner. That night
Grandpa took us in the truck (with our siblings) for ice cream, as
was his custom. I remember he always got a black and white
shake. Grandpa never mentioned our escape and never told
Jackye?s mother for which we were truly grateful because we
would have gotten a really bad spanking for that. That is a great
memory. I have many other stories of Jackye and I but don?t
have enough time.
Jacqueline is what I called her most often. She is also called
Jacque (pronounced like Jacque Cousto), and Jackye. I
remember when she was transitioning from her given name.
She wanted her name to standout and be memorable. What
she didn?t realize was that her personality, her laughter, her
love for others, her brothers and sisters and her love for Calvin
made her outstanding and memorable. Whatever you called
her, she was beautiful, sweet and kind. Jacqueline and I hadn?t
communicated as much in the last few years because we
allowed our busy and hectic lives to get in the way of fun talks,
laughing, and conspiracy theories. This makes me very sad
because she is gone and that time has now passed. She was
able to run into the arms of Jesus first. She has become an
angel whom I will miss. But fear not Auntie dear, I?ll see you
again and we can discuss, Angel Michael verses Angel Gabriel. I
urge everyone to pick up the phone and call someone you?ve lost touch with.
I love you Jacqueline!!!
With Love,
Lynette Robertson Clark Fields"
Vanita Braver wrote on Apr 7, 2019:
"Joel and I are so sorry for the loss of Jacqueline. Kathy is a dear friend of mine and I am sorry I could not make it to the service as I was out of the country. Wishing all of you comfort and peace through this difficult time. Sending hugs and much love! xoxo Vanita Braver "
Jean Charles wrote on Mar 30, 2019:
"I had the privilege working with Jacqueline for a few years and can quite say how saddened it was hearing of this loss. To all her family and friends, my sincere condolences and heart-felt prayers go to all who had the opportunity to share a moment of joy in life with Jackie (Jackyé she would correct you to say). Thank you Jackyé for the short laughs, thank you for encouraging me to become the best I can be. You will be forever missed.
Jean"
Kathi Caputo wrote on Mar 28, 2019:
"Jacqueline was a dear friend with whom I shared many fun times, long walks, and hours of deep discussions and confidences. How we would solve the world?s problems if only we ruled it! She was a constant friend, always ready to lend an ear and offer advice during sad times as well. Mike and I also enjoyed Calvin?s company at both our homes, and we send our very sincere condolences to him and Jacqueline?s entire family for this incalculable loss. It is certain that she will be missed by everyone who knew and, consequently, loved her. Rest in Eternal Peace - Kathi C."
Karen wrote on Mar 25, 2019:
"I met Jacqueline twice, and her welcoming smile stands out in my memory. She treated me as if she had known me forever, and I will always remember her warmth and humility. Now Jacqueline belongs to the stars, resting in the arms of the Lord. My condolences to Albertha, Jackie's sister and my long-time friend. My condolences also to Brenda, Pamela, Cathy and all of Jackie's family and friends. I'm so sorry for your loss. God bless you. Karen P."
Lewis Family wrote on Mar 23, 2019:
"Jacqueline, best sister, best daughter, best friend forever.
From her loving brother Leslie."
Aleta Jennette wrote on Mar 20, 2019:
"Calvin & Family,
I had the honor and privilege of working alongside of Jacqueline everyday, she was a very good friend, confidant and just a phenomenal woman to know, talk to and be around. I will miss her greatly as the world without her has just become colder. We need more people with compassion like her. My thoughts are with your family at this time and Jacqueline will always be in my heart forever.
With Sincere sympathy,
Aleta Jennette "
Barbara Boykin wrote on Mar 20, 2019:
"Calvin,
Please accept my sincere condolences for you and the family. Jacqueline was a remarkable woman and I am a better person for having known and working with her on a daily basis. I was humbled by her kindness and compassion to everyone around her. Jacqueline will be greatly missed. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and friends during this difficult time.
With sincere sympathy,
Barbara Boykin
"