Hanna Ballin Lewis

1931 - 2022

Hanna Ballin Lewis
August 20, 1931 - June 25, 2022
Hanna Ballin Lewis was born in Berlin, Germany, to Helmut (Jack) and Ilse Ballin. In 1938, she and her parents immigrated to Philadelphia, PA, where Hanna quickly overcame cultural and language hurdles, graduating as valedictorian of her senior class at Olney High School in 1948. She was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, but transferred to Rice University in Houston after her marriage to Bernard Lewis in 1950. At Rice, she earned a bachelor's degree in English and German, and later a master's and doctorate in German, commuting three hours to attend classes while raising four children. She taught German language and literature at Rice, Stephen F. Austin State University, and lastly, Sam Houston State University until her retirement in 1995. In addition to teaching, she authored many articles and papers on German and Austrian writers, and published two books as translator and editor.

Hanna's accomplishments, however, extended far beyond her professional life. She could sing, cook, sew, knit, and expertly play both the stock market and bridge. Her deepest passion was for family. For years, she and Bernard have sponsored a series of reunions that have knit more closely together a far-flung set of children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren.

Beautiful and incomparably intelligent, determined and indomitable, she was never a victim—not of Nazi persecution, not of cancer, not of pain.

Hanna is survived by her husband, Bernard M. Lewis, OD; children, Ellen Grayson (Stephen, deceased); Anne Lewis (David Morris); Paul Lewis; Kay Brodesky (Robert); seven grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to Temple Beth Torah in Humble, TX; Sight Into Sound (formerly Taping for the Blind) in Houston, TX; or to a charity of your choice. Hanna's ashes will be buried in a private ceremony at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery.