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Serena Dare Lewis

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Sonoma State University

Serena Lewis Obituary

On Sunday morning, July 8, 2007, we suddenly lost our beloved, Serena Dare Lewis. She was a wonderful and beautiful friend, sister, daughter and mother. Tragically, she was only 23 years old.

Serena was born and lived most of her short life in her heart's home, the Santa Cruz Mountains, where her life was filled with music, art and friends.

Serena was an incredibly creative, spunky and joyful girl with sparkling blue-green eyes and an infectious laugh. At the young age of 11, she proudly became a self-proclaimed vegetarian and for her high school prom, she dressed up and went as Boy George! Her hair was always a new color or colors, she especially liked purple. And it wasn't rare for her to show up with a new piercing as well. Reflecting her love of music, Serena's rooms were always filled with guitars and other musical instruments. Her walls were covered art, some by others, some original. She expressed herself through paintings, drawings and most recently tattoos, of which she had many and was also apprenticing as a tattoo artist at the 'Gilded Lilly.'

In 2003 Serena married Jeffrey Goppert and moved to New Orleans. They returned to Felton for the birth of Violet Pixie and were recently, amicably, divorced. Serena was a devoted, loving and adoring mother. When holding "Vie Pie", their beautiful eyes sparkled and lit up with a loving and adoring gaze. Seeing them smile and laugh together would light up any room. Recently Serena discovered love with someone who had been in her life since she was a young girl, he's a wonderful man, Christopher Chapman. Together they were planning to start a new life with each other. Everyone who has been around her for the last few months has seen her "walking on clouds."

Serena is survived by hundreds of friends here in Santa Cruz, a sister, Amy Hamasaki formerly Amy Cox, in San Francisco, a brother, Joe Cox, in Alaska, and a 2-year old daughter, Violet Pixie Goppert, in Felton.

Serena was born on January 29th, 1984 at Dominican hospital and went to Quail Hollow Elementary School and San Lorenzo Junior and Senior High Schools. She then left to attend college at Sonoma State.

In a tragic series of events, over the last couple of years, Serena has lost her father, David Lewis, her mother, Amanda Lewis and earlier this year her brother, Justin Lewis.

A celebration of her life will be held at Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga Street at 11:00 AM on Saturday July 14, 2007. Directly following there will be a reception at her old house on 170 Cascade Avenue in Brookdale. Please bring a dish &/or drinks to share.

In lieu of flowers, a donation is welcomed to benefit her little girl. You may contribute to her custodial account by writing a check made payable directly to Violet Pixie Goppert and include her account number 9145-7255 on the check. Please mail any contributions to Charles Schwab, 211 Main Street, Attn: SF/211/MN-01, San Francisco, CA 94105.

www.legacy.com/santacruzsentinel

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Jul. 12, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Serena Lewis

12 Entries

September 27, 2013

Serena I will never forget about my dare older cousin.... I love you and your family so much I like to think about you all together enjoying yourselves with Grammy and grandpa e.o. Meet you someday and thank you for visiting in my dreams...come again soon please... I just may get a serenity and justice tattoo....

Sarah Abel

July 14, 2007

I was a friend of Serena's from high school. Though we weren't close, I will never forget her engaging personality. I remember bumping into Serena at Coffee Cat toward the end of her pregnancy with Violet. She was thrilled to be a soon-to-be mother. She seamed so confident and ready for that next step in life. I had never seen her so happy.

My last memory of Serena was when I drove by her and Chelsea walking Violet in a stroller in Santa Cruz. They were laughing and smiling in the sunshine--it was an amazing nearly contagious laughter whose harmonies almost sounded like one laugh. A laughter that now I can hardly separate from Chelsea's in my memory. Chelsea, Serena was so lucky to have such wonderful friends. I know she loved you.

I think having Violet was one of the best things that ever happened to Serena. She loved Violet unconditionally and she was a wonderful mother. I hope Serena's close friends and family help Violet grow up to remember her mother's strength, conviction, and love.

(I hope someone saves these entry's for Violet when she grows up)

Serena and Violet June 2007

The Lewis'

July 13, 2007

This is a picture taken of Serena & Violet at her cousin Kevin's celebration for his graduation from UCSC, we are having an "Oil type painting made of it" it is my last phot o of many of Serena -It is the last time I hugged my niece Serena...

Aunt Bonnie

July 13, 2007

If anyone deserves a tribute it is my niece Serena. Serena is my favorite niece and always will be. I always called her that, she would giggle when I said it and the memories flood into my being.

Serena was the first, my husband brother Dave & his wife Amanda danced at our wedding with Serena due in a few months.In January of 84 Serena was born, in December came out son Kevin, the next year was Justin and then our baby Alycia. It was 1-4 one every year between my family and Serena's parents. The times we spent with them, birthday parties Halloween in Boulder Creek, Fourth of July parades in Aptos not to mention the fireworks.

We then went to our place in Tahoe together with the whole family, Serena & her cousin Kev were on the slopes and Justin & Alycia learned to snow board that trip and we had to leave early cuz of snow, but I would never leave out - uncle mike was unpopular because of our early departure.

When Serena lost her father (My husbands brother) she was there as well as being there every day for her mother at Stanford Hospital after her strokes. Serena was our rock, she touched many lives but I can not begin to tell you what an inspiration she has been to me & my children - since her birth, she helped Alycia dress for Halloween one time and it was so fun. That's just the beginning, her cousin Kevin is not in the state right now and does not even know this happened on his behalf I can say she was the oldest cousin - the rock - the mother cousin- and we love you Serena forever.............

Alycia Lewis

July 13, 2007

Serena will be very missed in my heart, but I will always know she is here with me. She was my loving cousin that I adored so much. The highlight of my childhood was going to my Uncle Dave, Aunt Amanda, and Serena and Justin's house for Easter. Serena would hold my hand and we searched that yard up and down for Easter eggs. Her smile and laughter would always comfort me and she was more like my older sister.
As we grew older and the Easter egg hunts stopped, I didn't see her quite as much. Luckily about a month ago I was able to reconnect with her. I was able to see her as a beautiful young woman and mother which was very inspiring for me.
She will be very missed on our earth but I know she is now with another part of her beautiful family.

Karen Thomas

July 13, 2007

My son Matt and Serena were good friends. She was smart, strong and creative. Serena touched so many lives. We have all gained from having known her. And she continues to bring joy to all who share memories of her.
It is so tragic that each member of the Lewis family left us early. I take comfort in their dog. Thor came to the Lewis family when Serena was six. After David died, Matt brought him home to us. Serena was happy that Thor was living out his life spoiled and loved. Thor is almost 18 years old and will joining them soon.
As for Serna'a beautiful daughter, I hope that she grows up knowing what an amazing person her mom was. I know that all of Serna's friends will do all that they can to help this little girl grow up as strong and amazing as Serena.
This world has suffered a great loss,
The Thomas Family

Kevin Hogan

July 12, 2007

Serena, I miss you so much.
I attended elementary school with Serena, but didnt actually meet her until high school.
Since the day I met her she has been a huge part of my life. Some of the best times I have had have been shared by her. From camping in Big Sur to hanging out with her and Jeff in New Orleans, I cherish each memory. And I wish you were her now.
I take comfort in that you lived your to the fullest in the time you had and you will never be forgotten.

glenda mecredy

July 12, 2007

I am one of four other mothers. My heart breaks and keeps breaking. The loss is so great and I am so very sad. Christine, if you read this thank you. I too find some comfort in thinking if there really is something more out there, then the Lewis family is back together. Anonymous, if you read this, thank you. It does help.

Christopher

July 12, 2007

I only met Serena once while she was visiting Amy and David. I remember her sparkling eyes and the joy her daughter seem to bring to her. My heart and thoughts go out to you Amy during this trying time.
much love.

Christine Chapman

July 12, 2007

I have known Serena since the day she was born. She was a smart, lovely young woman. Her parents were my dear friends. My son, Christopher loved her with all his heart. The pain and loss we all feel is so devastating, I can't communicate the sorrow. The only possible respite I find is in knowing that Serena, Justin, Dave and Amanda are together in love and peace. They were wonderful people, and devoted friends.

The Chapmans; Jim, Robert, Christopher, and Christine will mourn the loss of our close friends until the day we join them.

Signed,
Christine Chapman
Rimrock, AZ

shanna avila-britt

July 11, 2007

I miss my friend. Even though we havent been as close as we were in the past my thoughts always seemed to guid there way towards serena whenever 'The Cure' would pop up on the radio. She was so strong and such a great mother. Thank u serena for standing up for me..and your witty comments and your beautiful laugh....

Anonymous

July 11, 2007

I met Serena for the first time at a small get-together on the night that she died. I am close to most of the people who were there, and she was the only one who I didn't know.

My proximity to this tragedy makes me feel connected, and I have been dwelling on it since I heard the news. I feel a responsibility to say something to those who knew Serena.

I was one of the dozen or so people Serena spent the final hours of her life with, most of us near-strangers to her. This is an injustice to those of you whose lives she was a part of. Despite how much fun I had that night, I am not worthy of those hours, given the weight that they have assumed since then. I wish I could offer them to someone more deserving of the opportunity to be in Serena's presence one last time.

I and several others left the same place at nearly the same time she did, and the fact that any given one of us is still here, or not mourning the loss of "one of our own", is unfair as well. From what I understand of the details, timing may have been the only factor separating her from the rest of us. I didn't deserve to wake up to the bright foggy Sunday any more than she did, so I question whatever force chose her over me.

The only thing I am sure of is that she enjoyed that night as much as any of the rest of us. I hope her loved ones will take comfort in knowing that she spent the end of her life happy and among (mostly-new) friends, all of us having a blast in a swimming pool underneath a starry sky.

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