Josephine Mayerhoff Lewis

LEWIS, JOSEPHINE MAYERHOFF, affectionately known as "Josie", 84 - passed away at her Atlantic City home Wednesday, September 19th. Born in Vicksburg, MS, to Sarah Binder Mayerhoff and Louis Mayerhoff, she met her husband, Lionel Paul Lewis during WWII, while working for the Army Corps of Engineers in Dallas, TX. After he finished his army service, the couple returned to his hometown of Atlantic City. Josie quickly made Atlantic City her hometown too, becoming an active member of the community. Josie and Lionel enjoyed an extraordinary 52 year marriage and partnership, splitting their time between their homes in Margate and Fort Lauderdale, FL. In addition to her devotion to being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grand mother, Josie assisted Lionel as his office manager in his CPA practice. Her "resume" also includes roles as manager of the family's Cheltenham Hotel on Park Place in Atlantic City and experience in the real estate profession. With a passion for helping others, and a dedication to education, Josie was a founding member of the Golda Meir chapter of Hadassah, a life member of B'nai Brith and RNS. Josie and Lionel were also both active members of Avoda and Josie was honored to become its second Malka (president), in addition to serving on its scholarship committee for many years. Lionel and Josie were an especially complimentary couple, enjoying quiet time together playing backgammon and riding their bicycle built for two all around town. They enjoyed entertaining and socializing, playing gold and spending time with their many friends and family. Where there was a dance floor and music, Josie and Lionel were the first ones on the floor and the last ones to leave. Josie was a past member of Linwood Country Club and Inverrary Country Club in Ft. Lauderdale. She and Lionel joined Cong. Beth Judah when they moved to Atlantic City and she was proud to be on the Monday Minyanaires. Josie is predeceased by her husband, Lionel Paul Lewis, and her son-in-law, Dr. Alan Press. She is survived by her loving children: Linda and Patrick Lewis-Moors of Norwich, NY, Jacqueline and Thomas Polimeni of Marblehead, MA and her "adopted" daughter Judy Goldsmith Lalli and her husband Tony of Philadelphia. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Todd Lewis Sacks and Jeanette Sacks and their children: Jacob, Aaron and Avery of Coral Springs FL, Daniel Lewis Press and his fiancee Kellijean Sabetta of Boca Raton, FL and Carly Lewis Press of New York City. In addition, Josie is survived by a host of friends who became her family when she made Atlantic City her home. Among them are her "sister" and friend of over 60 years, Florence "Fagel" Goldsmith as well as her loving friend, Sam Shoffer, who called her "my lovely lady." Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services Sunday, September 23rd 9am at Cong. Beth Judah, 700 N. Swarthmore Avenue in Ventnor. Entombment to follow at Emeth Shalom Cemetery in Egg Harbor Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Josie's memory may be made to Avoda, PO Box 3120, Margate, NJ 08402; Cong. Beth Judah; or to AtlantiCare Hospice. Arrangements by Roth-Goldstein Memorial Chapel, Atlantic City.