Obituary of Miriam Lewis

Miriam (Mimsi) Cruikshank Lewis

November 21, 1916 – November 10, 2017

Mimsi’s first words when she woke up the morning she turned 100 in November 2016 were: “I made it!’ She probably thought that reaching 101 would be an anti-climax, so she left this world 11 days short of her next birthday.  She was the daughter of Dwight Phelps Cruikshank and Elizabeth Babcock Cruikshank, and sister of Donald (deceased). Pre-deceased by her husband and dearest love, Daniel.

Mimsi is survived by her three daughters Bibi Withers (John), Cassie Stanley (Doug) and Eloise Lewis (Jock McGregor).  Also survived by eight grandchildren Amanda Withers, Meredith Withers (Brad Lewis), David Withers, Daniel Stanley (Liliana Soto), Matthew Stanley (Terisa), Barbara Stanley (Patrick Bardsley), Kylie McGregor and Blair McGregor. Mimsi also leaves seven great-grandchildren, Matthew and Jack Baillargeon, Connor and Toby Lewis, Owen Stanley, Padme Stanley and Andrew Bardsley.  The last of her generation of Cruikshanks and Lewises, Mimsi also leaves a cousin and many nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States.

Mimsi was born in Syracuse N.Y and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. Prior to her marriage, she worked for the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina followed by a position in Washington D.C. where she met Dan, who was with the U.S. Navy. When they married, Dan was posted to Montreal, which they called home for much of their married life, and where Mimsi enjoyed a successful career in real estate. They moved to Ste-Adèle and then Ottawa, until Dan’s death in 1999. Mimsi then moved to The Claremont retirement residence in Toronto where she lived for the past 15 years. Our deepest thanks to the incredibly wonderful staff at The Claremont, who represent the love and care that Mimsi received. And heartfelt thanks to her loving caregivers for the past five years, Lyn, Tess and Vangie.

A reception to celebrate Mimsi’s life will take place at THE CLAREMONT, 305 Balliol St., Toronto on Friday, November 17, from 2-4 p.m. Interment will follow in the spring at the Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the charity of your choice.  Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.