Helen Lewis

Helen Ghiz Lewis, of Lake Encino, CA, passed away on May 31, 2011, surrounded by her family and friends. Helen, a loving Daughter, Sister, Wife, Aunt and Mentor to many, was the Matriarch of the Ghiz family who had immigrated to the United States from Zahle, Lebanon during the late 19th century.
Born to Najla and Daher Ghiz in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the youngest of seven children and the last surviving member of the Ghiz family who hailed from The Greatest Generation.
After the death of Helen's Father, the family moved to California in 1939, settling in Los Angeles. Europe was already embroiled in war, and the United States was edging closer to the conflict every day.
World War II changed the fate of many people, including Helen. Her Brother George was a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton Marine Base, and one day, while she was visiting him at the base, the beautiful young Helen was spotted by the local (Army) croupier, Joby Lewis. He was besotted with Helen from the moment he laid eyes on her, and the rest is history. Joby married Helen soon after they met in a "Victory Wedding", (no groomsmen in the bridal party), in February of 1944, and never lost his passion for - or his obsession with - Helen. As a couple, they became one of the most dynamic duos of the Arab-American entrepreneurial families who made their way in the burgeoning economy of United States after the conclusion of the war.
Helen and Joby became an amazing team in all areas of their life, which was a big one. They established and ran Hollywood nightclubs, a liquor distribution business, and the first casino and showroom in Lake Tahoe. Joby would run the front of the house, while Helen took care of the finances. They built an empire based in California, buying property and building liquor stores. After Joby built a new store, Helen would launch a fierce marketing campaign while she herself worked in the store.
The Lewis' were instrumental in establishing many Syrian and Lebanese immigrant families in the liquor and grocery business. As a result of their efforts, Helen and Joby enabled these families to grow and prosper for generations to come.
Helen and Joby Lewis, also a generous philanthropic couple, building churches in Feirouza, Syria, as well as in Los Angeles, CA. In addition, they built a church and orphanage, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, in Homs, Syria. In recent years, Joby & Helen donated a piece of property in Mission Hills, CA to St. Ephraim Syrian Orthodox Church which will enable their congregation to build a new Cathedral.
Helen and Joby Lewis were legendary and, in some ways, they were bigger than life! Overall, they left a great legacy and the passing of Mrs. Lewis marks the end of a Golden Era that was characterized by their entrepreneurial spirit and their generosity.