Appoline Symphrosa Lewis

Appoline Symphrosa Lewis passed away on July 25, 2025, at age 84. Born in Mangalore, India on July 18th, 1941, during the tumultuous time of Indian independence. Daughter of Joachim Rego and Christine Misquith. Sister of Sister Cecil, Helen Rego and Anjeline Fernandes. Appoline and Anjeline at an early age with immense bravery moved to the burgeoning city of Mumbai to study nursing and became a trailblazing nurse at the prestigious Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. Nearly 50 years ago on July 31, 1976, she married Harold Jacob Lewis; and in the same year she joined a generation of pioneering Indian women to brave the unknown and come to America and fulfill its need for nurses. Together, they raised two sons, Osborn Ignatius Lewis and Floyd Reginald Lewis. After the death of her beloved husband Harold in 1990, she took on the immense challenge of raising her 11 and 10 yr old sons. With self-sacrifice, will, and the help of family and friends in the US and India, her sons grew to attain undergraduate and MBA degrees while also seeing them get married with children. She is survived by her eldest son Osborn, daughter-in-law Jessie, grandsons Isaac, Joachim and Kyrie; and by her son Floyd, daughter-in-law Phiona, granddaughter Elisha and grandson Darius. With love she helped raise her grandchildren, her niece (goddaughter) Jyoti Fernandes and nephews Kevin Fernandes, and Donald Fernandes. At the age of 79, she happily joined a gym and for last 5 years continued her lifelong ability of surpassing expectations by pressing weights and leading her life with enthusiasm. She was a cherished member of the Our Lady of Hope, St Isaac Jogues (Chicago, US) and St Paius (Mulund, India) Catholic Church. In life, she was known for her strength, boundless energy, dry humor, and her gift of gabbing with family, friends, neighbors, and new people she met. As she joins those who died before her in the loving embrace of God, please keep Appoline in your thoughts and prayers. A visitation will take place on Monday, August 11, 2025, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at G.L. Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois. A 9:15am prayer service will take place at the funeral home followed by a 10:00am Mass at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church at 9711 W. Devon Avenue, Rosemont, Illinois on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Interment Private. Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Center. For information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit http://www.glhillsfuneralhome.com.