Fern Lewis

Most people have goals that they hope to achieve during their lifetime. For some, it might be to lower their golf scores. For others it might be to obtain recognition in their chosen profession. For former Des Plaines resident Fern Lewis, the goal has been "to help whoever needs help, in any direction. Every time I can help someone out, that's what it's all about," she said. Lewis has been volunteering at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for the past 47 years. Her only regret is that after 43 years, she had to resign from her assignment in the surgical waiting area because her doctor told her she could no longer drive in the dark. In order to set up the area, have the coffee prepared and be there to assist the families waiting for news of loved ones having surgery, Lewis had to leave her home in Bensenville by 5:45 a.m. to make the drive to Park Ridge. She still drives herself in from Bensenville once a week to volunteer, but now she helps with mailings, prepares a weekly newsletter for distribution and performs other clerical duties in the volunteer office.

"I love the people that I work with. They are like family to me, and I enjoy what I am doing now, but it broke my heart when I had to give up the surgical waiting area assignment," she said. I felt needed and comfortable there, and I recieved so many awards and so many letters of appreciation from the families. I have kept them all and refer to them as my treasures."

Among her fondest memeories is of the day when two little girls were waiting with her because their mom was having surgery. She sat them down on the sofa near her desk so she could keep an eye on them. After the doctor spoke with them, one little girl came over and presented Lewis with a drawing of a rose she had made on notebook paper and said it was for "the nice lady."

Lewis grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago and attended what is now Foreman High School. She went on to attend Lucy Flower Trade School, where she studied millinery and dress making. Her mother was not well, and she chose to devote her life to looking after her, her three sisters and her father rather than pursuing a career for herself. She did, however, design hats for family and friends and sewed clothing for her children for many years. She met her late husband, Howard, at church, and refers to him as, "my sweetheart and the best husband in the whole world."

This active 90-year-old woman doesn't show any signs of slowing down, and she just returned from vacationing with family in Florida. She helps out her friends who are no longer able to drive by running errands for them. She also enjoys watching TV, playing cards and participating in activities at the retirement community where she lives, among other things. She still attends services at the Congregational Church in Des Plaines, enjoys doing needlepoint and has crafted Christmas stockings for 20 family members. Family always has, and always will, come first with Lewis, and her life revolves around her daughter, Lyn Glaser; her sons, Calvin, Scott and Gordon; her 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. "Fern is an angel. She is extremely positive, and I have never heard her complain about anything," said Magda Scanlan, manager of Volunteer Services, "She appreciates every minute of life and always puts a positive spin on things. She brighten up everyone's day." For details on local volunteer opportunities, contact The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago, (847) 228-1320. (847) 228-1006, or visit www.volunteerinfo.net.

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