Obituary: Alice Lewin Lewinson

Alice Lewin Lewinson, 90, of Lighthouse Point, Fla., passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 16, after a five-week battle filled with numerous complications related to Parkinson’s. Alice was predeceased by her husband, Sam Lewinson of Boca Raton, Fla., and her parents, Kent Lewin and Jeanette Frances Guggenheim of Miami, Fla., and her brother, Jay Lewin of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Temple Beth El Memorial Gardens in Davie, Fla.

Alice was a graduate of Miami Senior High and attended the University of Miami. Alice was a talented artist. She used her talent to become a draftsman and work for the City of Miami. She was the only female employee and the most precise. Alice was chosen to design the sewer system due to her drafting precision. Alice broke through a glass ceiling when she was the first woman to climb down a manhole in Miami.

Alice had many suitors before she met her husband, Sam Lewinson in 1962. Sam courted Alice through beautiful love letters. Sam knew the moment they met that they would be married even though over 18 years in age were between them. Sam would drive to Atlanta to mail his letters as he knew a woman from Miami would never willingly want to move to a small town in North Georgia. Sam waited until after Alice said I do to inform her that she would be living in Dalton, Ga. The standing joke between them was Alice added a ‘son’ to her last name but gave birth to two daughters.

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As an artist, Alice approached life with color. All her clothing selections were vivid patterns or bright flowers. When Alice walked in a room, she dressed to stand out in the crowd. When Alice decided it was time to head back to Florida, she redecorated the family den with bright green palm tree wallpaper on a silver metallic wallpaper that spanned from floor to ceiling.

In Alice’s early years of marriage, she became an advocate and volunteered in a role with the North Georgia Commissioner, Jimmy Carter. Alice advocated for equal rights for women and established programs to protect women against abuse and rape.

Alice lost the love of her life in 2010 after 45 years of marriage when Sam suffered from a traumatic brain injury. Their relationship was magical as they were inseparable. They waited 38 years for two grandchildren who were the center of her universe.

For the last two decades, Alice struggled with a debilitating Parkinsonism known as freezing gait syndrome. It took away both her fine and gross motor skills. However, Alice through all her medical challenges still approached life with color. Her daughters would each have specific roles that she designated during her golden years. Alice with the help of one her daughters shared the story of her life. She published an almost 300-page book that was presented to her for her 90th birthday to be shared with her future generations.

Alice spoke her mind and would say anything to anyone at any time, but Alice had the biggest heart. She had so much compassion for her children and would move mountains for them. She took on the weight of the world with her zest for life. She leaves behind her daughters Nancy (Mark) Kaufman and grandson Justin Kaufman of Atlanta, Georgia; Sally (Scott) Rand and Blake Rand of Lighthouse Point, Florida.

In lieu of flower’s donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s to continue advance research to find a cure for this disease.