Bertha Marie Lewandowski
Bertha Marie (Bartell) Lewandowski, a longtime resident of Wilmington and a Philadelphia native, died Saturday, April 18, 2009 and ended her courageous struggle against emphysema. She was 71.
Mrs. Lewandowski was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and recently celebrated 33 years of sobriety with her closest friends. She worked as a waitress for W.T.. Grant Co. and held several food service positions before medical problems forced her to retire while working as a cook at Ingleside Homes Inc. on Franklin Street.
Mrs. Lewandowski arrived in Wilmington in 1976, where she began her road to sobriety at Limen House, a halfway house for recovering alcoholics. During her life here, she mentored other women in the AA program and served on several boards. She also served as a rape counselor and was a volunteer with Parents Anonymous. She was an advocate for several social service agencies and was asked to speak to the Delaware Legislature on behalf of families in need. For her hours of service to the community, Mrs. Lewandowski was recognized as a Delaware Volunteer of the Year. She will be missed by many.
Mrs. Lewandowski is survived by three sons, Patrick Lewandowski of Wilmington; Wilmington Police Officer Matthew Severance and Wilmington Firefighter Richard Severance, daughters-in-law Pamela Severance, Wilmington; Sandra Lewandowski, Deatsville, Ala., a granddaughter, Jessica Marie Lewandowski, Montgomery, Ala., five grandsons: Army Pfc. Jordan Alexander Lewandowski, Fort Benning, Ga.; William "Tyler" Severance, New Castle; Daniel Kirby Severance, New Castle; Justin Patrick Lewandowski, Deatsville, Ala., and Austin Richard Severance, Wilmington; a brother, Richard Albert Bartell, Philadelphia; three sisters; Barbara Sauler, Philadelphia; Catherine Kresge, Walnut Port, Pa.; Marie Meighan, Swarthmore, Pa.; and a favorite niece, Margaret Wendt, who provided companionship and care throughout her illness.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the service at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy., Elsmere on Friday, April 24th at 11 a.m. Friends may call at the Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home in Elsmere on Thursday night, April 23rd from 6 to 8 p.m., and again on Friday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment is private.
The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Delaware Hospice for countless hours of loving care provided to Mrs. Lewandowski as she faced her terminal illness.
In lieu of flowers friends are encouraged to consider giving a memorial gift to Delaware Hospice, Inc., 3515 Silverside Rd. Wilmington, DE 19810.

Krienen-Griffith
994-9614
www.Delawarefuneral.com