Elsie Hyslop Lewis Eastman, 71, of Walnut Ave., St. Clairsville, Ohio, died Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at her home.
She was born October 4, 1936 in Terre Haute, Indiana, a daughter of the late James and Elsie Messal Hyslop.
Elsie was a graduate of St. Clairsville High School, attended Northwestern University and was an accomplished artist and poet.
She was a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church of Wheeling, WV.
In addition to her parents, Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Richard E. Lewis and a son, Bruce Lewis.
Surviving are her son; James W. Lewis, Orinda, California and her daughter; Mary Emily Lewis-Watkins, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; her sister, Rosemary E. Hyslop, and her Aunt Mary Hyslop, both of Keystone Heights, Florida, and her three grandchildren; David R. Watkins and Evelyn and Charlotte Lewis.
Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008, at the Beck-Altmeyer Funeral Home & Crematory, 204 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 29, 2008, at 2 PM, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1410 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003, with Reverend Mark E. Seitz officiating.
Interment will follow in Union Cemetery, St. Clairsville, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Hospice, 98 East Cove Ave., Wheeling, WV 26003 or the Belmont county Animal Rescue League, 45244 National Road, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950.
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday February 28, 2008
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Beck-Altmeyer Funeral Home & Crematory
204 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
740-695-0475 | Directions
204 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
740-695-0475 | Directions
Cemetery
Friday February 29, 2008
2:00 pm
Service
Friday February 29, 2008
2:00 pm
Visitation
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Beck-Altmeyer Funeral Home & Crematory
204 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
740-695-0475 | Directions
204 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
740-695-0475 | Directions
Dear Jim & Mary,
I was impressed by the devotion you both showed your mother when she most needed your help and support. I think she felt safe, loved, and immensely comforted by your presence as she was preparing to leave. You really are living and loving tributes to your mother.
Carol Hyslop Lebeiko
Dear Ones,
I met Elsie less than a year ago, and I was truly looking forward to getting to know her better. What a wonderful lady . . . a gem in His crown.
I must share with you a poem that she wrote exactly one year ago today. How lovely to know that her words live on.
Earth
I
SOJOURN
Each of us wakes in a garden
Somewhere east in Eden
In the time between the two trees
Two trees in the garden
Planted by the hand of God
Two trees having different fruit
And growing in the same soil
Somewhere I read that a poet has said
“It’s strange to remember
That while we are here
We are always living and dying
At the same time”
In the middle way
In the time between the two trees
The garden has become a dark wood
Here is a dying — a dying to be born again
Not a reincarnation
But a responding to an invitation
Spirit born into the flesh invites us
While in the flesh
to be born into the spirit
Not really a renunciation
But a desire for preservation
Not to put a stop to time
But to put an end to transience
Elsie Eastman 2/27/07
May God bless and comfort you.
Dear Rosemary,
We were so saddened to learn of Elsie Jean’s death. Our sympathies to you, your aunt and the rest of Elsie Jean’s family.
Charles and Sally Thompson
Elsie and I were friends in high school and graduated in the class of 54. We shared a love for art and good music.
The family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Iam sorry for your loss.
Elsie Jean’s art and poetry will help to keep her in our memories. The Hyslop family will be eternally remembered for all the help they gave us in knowing God’s Word. With much love, Skip, Ann, Rodger, Janet, Gregg, Doug and Joanna
Elsie Jean’s passing to her heavenly reward leaves us saddened because this beautiful, gifted cousin will no longer be at our earthly family gatherings. But–what a glorious reunion she’s enjoying in our Lord’s presence!
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Elsie. I came to know Elsie a year ago, when she hired me to help her work with Trudy and Sasha I am an animal behaviorist. I was immediately drawn to her open and gentle honesty, her wisdom, and her free-spirited way of living. We talked more intimately than I talk with any client, and we became friends in a very short amount of time. She shared stories of her family and asked me about mine. We talked about philosophy, religion, animal communication, and art. It was a profound experience for me, and she was someone I thought about frequently outside of our few face-to-face meetings. My favorite story about Elsie, one that I have shared with friends, is when she told me that she had accidentally triggered a fight between Trudy and Sasha because she had been impelled to dance in her living room one day when a favorite song came on. She apologized about this, and I told her she should never feel sorry for wanting to spontaneously dance in her living room to her favorite music we instead talked about ways we could control her dogs’ aggression, with her dancing and all!. She was a wonderful, inspiring, and beautiful woman. I was moved to tears by news of her death, and I send my best wishes to her family, whom she spoke of with such love. All my best, Megan.
I have so many great memories of weekends with Elsie Jean, Dick and the kids growing up. A painting always in progress on the easel, the dog running around the house and nothing but fun and laughter. As a child staying with the Lewis’s was the highlight of trips to Ohio. Elsie Jean will be missed.
I was so very sorry to hear about Elsie…she was a very special person with such a huge and generous heart for everyone especially animals….I got to know her because I became one of her pet sitters years ago…Elsie gave me such joy-she alway had a fabulous story to tell my daughter and myself…she shared her art with us and we always talked about certain projects that were not yet completed and her desire to someday find time to finish them…I pray that the family has been able to place all of her four-legged children in safe loving homes….my daughter and I will forever remember our wonderful times with Elsie and her “children”
Mary & family:
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. Please know we love you and we’re here for you.
Love
Ruth & Nick
Mary,
From the few times I met your mom, I could see a gentleness in her face.My dad went to school with her and he always spoke so highly of her. Your dad took care of me as a child and I just adored him. There was never a time that I ever was fearful of going to a doctor because of how comfortable he made me feel when I sick. I remember how he would be waiting for me at the end of the pool with the promise of a hotdog for not looking during my race. You were so nice to me and I just thought the world of you growing up. You and your family are in my prayers. I know the Doctor Richard and your mom are together again.
Mary, We send our love and support during this time of loss. We love you.
May Uncle Jim and Aunt Elsie greet you with joy!
Love,
Bruce
My condolences to the family. Remember that Jehovah is a God of comfort, so may He comfort you during these troubled times
My family sends its heartfelt sympathy to the family of Elsie. Though we only met her once a few years ago, we liked her immediately. Her father and my father were cousins, though I do not think they ever met each other. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to her family.
Our Dear Mary,
There are no words to say how sorry we are for your loss of your mother. Just know that we love you and you and your family are in our hearts as well as our prayers always.
We love you,
Jayne & Joe
Rosemary, Jim & I were so sorry to hear of Elsie’s death, Carol called me, Judy Richards had called her. It was so nice seeing her last summer when we were up for Jim’s 50th. I had a lovely conversation with Elsie at the picnic, and Carol showed me the pictures from their reunion at the Club. I alway admired Elsie and enjoyed going over to her house while I was in ST.C for their 50th reunion with Carol. We had such a nice time talking about old times, I really enjoyed listening to both of them tell stories about high school, etc. Since they are 4 yrs older than I am, I really didn’t have alot of contact with all Carol’s friends since I was the little sister! So it was fun to hear their stories. Jim & I will be going back to ST.C this summer for my 50th! Nancy will be there to celebrate her 55th, so Carol & Bob and Susan and David have also decided to go to St.C for us to have a mini reunion of the Pfoor girls! Maybe I’ll see you sometime at one of the reunion picnic’s, if you ever get to Charleston, SC, please call and we’ll get together.
Some of my favorite trips growing up were to visit Elsie Jean and her family – she was always so artistic and fun to talk to. Our thoughts and prayers are with our cousins and great-aunt as they cope with this great loss in our family. Love to you all!
We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Elsie. Her father and my father George Welsh were cousins from Indiana, though they never met. Only saw Elsie a few times with Rosemary/Mary Hyslop and instinctively knew she was a talented Christian lady.
Again you have our heart felt condolences – Bill Welsh
With Elsie Jean dies a piece of my life. We were roommates at Northwestern and the fact that I dislike the telephone and she didn’t e-mail in later years widened the gap. We were soul mates in so many ways but especially music. One day, dear Elsie Jean, one day we’ll have time to talk about everything again. I cannot believe she is no longer there, where she’s supposed to be. My heart breaks with the loss of our shared memories. My love to you, her family, and particularly, Rosemary. Judie