Beth Hobbs Lewis

North Hampton - Beth Hobbs Lewis of North Hampton, NH passed away on January 17, 2025. She was 96 years old. She was born in North Hampton, NH on January 5, 1929, the daughter of the late James F. Hobbs and Helen Spear Hobbs. Beth’s mother owned and operated a convalescent home, experiences which helped shape Beth as a deeply caring and compassionate person. Growing up in the depression and coming of age in World War II also impacted Beth, who never asked for more than was necessary, was always ready and able to face a challenge, and consistently sacrificed for others. While Beth shunned the spotlight, she had a quiet and profound impact on all those around her. After graduating from the Oak Grove School in Vassalboro, Maine in 1947 and attending UNH, Beth moved to Boston where she worked at D.C. Percival. While on a blind date at Tufts University her date became indisposed, and Tufts student and WWII veteran Kent Lewis gallantly stepped in to give her a ride home. This became the start of a beautiful 60 year relationship, and Beth and Kent were married from 1951 until Kent’s passing in 2011. Beth also played a key role in supporting Kent’s career that took them from Schenectady, NY to Seattle, WA and, finally, to Windsor, CT. In Windsor, Beth worked at Marcom, the advertising firm that Kent launched in 1970, and was instrumental in the company’s success. She set a powerful example for her three children around positive traits like patience, perseverance, and listening to and caring about others, which they, in turn, have aspired to pass on to subsequent generations. When Kent retired, Beth and he moved full time to their summer home on Lovell Lake in Sanbornville, NH. There, Beth was the beloved matriarch of ongoing multigenerational summer celebrations, with her eight grandchildren – born from 1982 to 2002 – always looking forward to visits and spending time with Grandma. When not playing with, reading to, or chatting with her grandchildren, Beth was ready to listen to, sympathize with, and offer helpful – and always solicited! – advice to her children and their spouses. In the “off season” Beth and Kent travelled widely, and spent winters in Naples, Florida. Wherever Beth went, she was actively involved in service, especially as a hospital and library volunteer, but also simply as a devoted sister and friend who was always ready to help others with a ride, an event or occasion, or a cup of coffee. Beth felt fortunate that after Kent’s passing from Alzheimer’s, she was able to share her life with a companion, Homer Johnson, whom she met in Alzheimer’s CareGivers support. United in the experience of loss from Alzheimer’s, they enjoyed a golden life partnership for 13 years in North Hampton and Sebring, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kent Lewis, in 2011, and brothers Eliot A. Hobbs and Richard A. Hobbs. She is survived by her sons, Tod Lewis (Emily), Peter Lewis (Lynn) and daughter Susan Lewis Graage (Eric), as well as eight grandchildren William (Jiin) Lewis, Andrew Lewis, Tyler (Katherine) Lewis, Melissa Lewis (Ian), Kathleen Lewis, Annika Graage (Cole), Lukas Graage, and Baird Graage, and two great-grandchildren, Oliver Lewis and Silas Graage-Davison. Most recently, Beth received care at Benchmark of Rye, where she was assisted by an exceptional group of caregivers from Benchmark and Beacon Hospice. Anyone wishing to honor Beth may visit the memorial page for the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases to make a donation or the Gafney Library in Sanbornville, NH. A small gathering of remembrance and celebration will be held in Sanbornville this spring.

Beth Hobbs Lewis

January 5, 1929 - January 17, 2025