Lucille Jewett

1929 - 2023

Lucille Jewett
January 1, 1929 - December 22, 2023
Lucille McIntyre Jewett, active San Francisco community leader and philanthropist, died on December 22nd after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was a few days shy of her 95th birthday. A Christmas miracle occurred when she met her great-granddaughter in October and inexplicably much of her cognition came back to express her profound joy. The condition continued to the end allowing family and friends to enjoy the Lucy we all loved.
Lucy was born on January 1, 1929, in St. Louis, Mo., as the only child of Charles Edwin "Eddie" McIntyre and Elizabeth Newbery McIntyre. She later moved to Tacoma, Wash., with her family, and attended Stadium High School and then went on to the University of Puget Sound. After college, she reconnected with childhood friend George Frederick "Fritz" Jewett Jr, who proposed after a six-week courtship, and they were married in Tacoma in 1953. They moved to Lewiston, Idaho where Fritz worked with the Potlatch Forest Inc., and Lucy helped establish a new chapter of the YWCA. Their daughter, Betsy was born in 1954, and son, George in 1956. The family loved to spend time on the water, with many summers and vacations spent either on the beaches of Hawaii or sailing in Woods Hole, Mass.
In 1965, the Jewett's moved to the Bay Area, living in Ross, Calif., and then moving into their San Francisco home in 1986. On moving to California, Lucy fell in love with the San Francisco Ballet, joining the board in 1969 and remaining on it for the rest of her life. During the 1970s, Lucy and Fritz helped keep the ballet afloat during a major financial crisis when the dancers were rehearsing out of an auto body shop. The Jewett's took turns with three other families to pay the dancers' wages. Lucy championed the "Save our Ballet" campaign, which ultimately succeeded in giving the ballet its own building for rehearsal and school. Lucy loved taking friends and family to the ballet, and always made sure to go backstage after a performance to congratulate the dancers.
Lucy served on many other non-profit boards over the years, including that of the University of Puget Sound, Henry Luce Scholars, and the ARCS Foundation. Lucy loved sailing, and along with her husband Fritz was heavily involved with the America's Cup over several decades, successfully winning the Cup in 1980 and 1987. For her contributions to the sport, Lucy was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 2013, only the second woman to ever be granted the honor.
Nobody loved to throw a party like Lucy. Whether it was a festive soiree in support of the many organizations she supported, a big anniversary, or her favorite of all the annual Christmas party. Lucy was a hostess with few peers. From over the top and creative decor to serving delectable food all who knew treasured their place on the guest list. Memorable events included hosting Prince Philip in support of World Wildlife Fund as well as events for political leadership from both parties.
Lucy was preceded in death by Fritz (2008), her beloved husband of 55 years. She is survived by her daughter, Betsy Jewett (Rick Gill); son, George Jewett; grandchildren, Sam Jewett (Lacey Allen), Fritz Jewett (Sarah Jewett), Sarah Coombs, David Coombs, Shannon Helbling (Ryan), and Erin Houle (Hunter); and a great-granddaughter, Bennie Louise Jewett-Allen.
The family suggests donations to the San Francisco Ballet, Chris Hellman Center for Dance, 455 Franklin Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94102 or to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., Att: Online Services, P.O. Box 97166, Washington, DC 20090-7166.
Lucy will be celebrated at a private family service.