Martha LEWIS

WILLIAMSBURG - Martha Nita Kurzdorfer Lewis of Newport News, Va., passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 31, just two weeks shy of completing her 93rd trip around the sun.
She resided in the home of Gale Burcher who provided loving and compassionate care to Martha for the past year.
Born in Duquesne, Pa., in 1917, Martha was the only daughter of three children born to Martha Nita and Russell David Kurzdorfer. Growing up in the country with her two brothers, Martha developed a strong spirit filled with a desire for adventure and a lust for life.
Exceeding the 'boundaries' for most women of her time, she attended Heidelberg College in Ohio, and as the only woman in her chemistry class, graduated with a degree in 1940. In 1943, she joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a Lieutenant in the WAVES. While in the Navy, Martha met Richard Baker Lewis and they married in 1945 at the Brooklyn Naval Chapel. Together they had three children. Martha traveled the world with Richard and was proud of the fact that she had 'set foot' on every continent. Her last trip was with her grandson, Scott to Antarctica. Richard died in 2005 after sharing 60 years of life together.
Martha expressed her life through poetry and took every opportunity to gift those around her with verses of love and laughter. She was a beautiful and deeply spiritual woman, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and thoroughly lived life to its fullest. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched, and will remain forever in the hearts and souls of each and every one.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Robert and Russell; and her loving husband, Richard.
She is survived by her daughters, Dianne (Michael) Whitman of Lowell, Mich., Suzanne (Richard) Thomas of Wake Forest, N.C.; and her son, Robert (Iris) Lewis of Newport News, Va.; grandchildren, Scott and Nick Maloley, Jack and Jordan (Erin) Whitman, Carl Ryan (Kelley) and Andrea Galant, and Alicia and Aaron Lewis; great-grandchildren, Gray and Isla Galant; sisters-in-law, Virginia Spooner and Nancy Lewis; and brother-in-law, Charles J. Lewis (Sherri).
Namaste' - We bow to God in you; we love and respect you, as there is no one like you....
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Denbigh Presbyterian Church in Newport News, Va., prior to the funeral service at 2 p.m. Reception following. Martha will be interned with her husband in the Quantico National Military Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the National Alzheimer's Association.
Arrangements are entrusted to Nelsen Funeral Home & Crematory in Williamsburg, Va. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.