Obituary of Linda P Lewis

Linda Patricia Schepper Lewis, 65, passed away unexpectedly on June 29th, 2013 at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine. Her passing was peaceful and painless, and she was surrounded by those who loved her most, her husband, two sons, and daughter-in-law. Linda was born in Yonkers, New York on May 26th, 1948 to Irene and Fredrick Schepper. She is survived by her husband Michael, her brother Fred, and his wife Nancy of Spring Hill, Florida, their two adult children, Lisa and Freddie of Syracuse, NY, her son Ian, his wife Tricia, and their two children, Josh and Lillian of San Diego, California; and her son Nathaniel and his wife Christy of Belfast, Maine. In 1965, Linda enrolled in Northeastern College in Boston, where she met the love of her life, Michael Lewis. In 1970, they decided that they could learn more from nature then a classroom, and they uprooted and moved into a yurt in Prospect, Maine. That first winter together in the woods was harsh, but they managed to keep each other warm despite their lack of worldly possessions. Linda never measured herself by what she owned, but rather by the love she gave and received. She was extremely wealthy in that sense. In 1971 they got a good deal on piece of land in Belfast. First they lived in a tent, then built a small cabin and ultimately constructed a house with their own hands. This was their home for the remainder of Linda’s life, and was where both of her sons were raised by her love and patience after their marriage in 1977. Linda made the seamless transition to motherhood and showered her sons with love, often helping to make the impossible possible for them. She sacrificed so much to allow her family to thrive as a unit. Her devotion to her sons trumped all of her other passions, and she never hesitated to share her feelings of pride about their accomplishments. There is no doubt that Linda lived a happy, rewarding life. She loved her vegetable and flower gardens, spending long hours working hard to maintain them. She made everything she touched beautiful. When she passed, her family was not surprised to find the dirt from her gardens underneath her fingernails and between her toes. Linda was blessed to see both of her sons marry beautiful, thoughtful women. Ian married Tricia Nguyen in San Diego, and Nathaniel married Christy Stockard on Bailey Island in Maine. Both of her daughter-in-laws had a special place in her heart, and she accepted both like they were her own. 2013 was a very special year for Linda, as she was able to visit her grandkids in San Diego less than a month before her passing. She was present for the adoption ceremony of Ian’s son, Joshua, and was adored by him and her granddaughter, Lillian. Her other granddaughter (due in August) will carry her name on, as “Linda” will be her middle name. Her legacy will live forever through her husband and through her boys and their families, and through all the people that she touched during her life. In addition to her friends and family, Linda loved her kitties, her garden, helping people, and of course… a good story (listening or telling one). She always put others before herself and found joy in the little things in life. In the years preceding her passing, she would wake every morning like it was Christmas, excited for what the day ahead may hold. Her husband marveled at the energy she exuded and he describes it as “sunshine everyday”, regardless of the actual weather outside. Linda will be cremated, and anyone who wishes to pay their respects may do so from 10am-12pm on Saturday, July 6th at Riposta’s Funeral Home in Belfast. Her remains will be scattered in her gardens and a few of her other favorite places on Earth so that she can continue to enjoy the things she loved most. She will be sorely missed and never forgotten. Linda will be cremated, and anyone who wishes to pay their respects may do so from 10am-12pm on Saturday, July 6th at Riposta’s Funeral Home in Belfast.