Nancy Whyte Lewis

Nancy Whyte Lewis passed away at the Lebanon Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire on October 3, 2024 after a period of declining health. 

Nancy Glenn Whyte was born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, Nancy attended Stanford University. She then attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin where she met Robert Lewis (Bob). They married in 1962 and moved to Athens, Greece where Bob taught at Athens College on a Fulbright Exchange. While in Athens, they welcomed a daughter, Cynthia. After brief stays in New York and Iowa, they eventually settled in Wisconsin. Nancy and Bob were both Professors of English at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater for nearly thirty years. She and Bob also participated in teaching exchange programs in England, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Australia.  

After Nancy and Bob retired, they continued to travel extensively. When they were not travelling, they split their time between New York City and Fort Lauderdale where they enjoyed museums, opera, theater, and concerts in New York and the sun and beach in Fort Lauderdale. After Bob died in 2010, Nancy continued to split her time between both locations until she relocated to Vermont to be near her daughter and grandsons.  

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Lewis; two grandsons, Graham Okai and Palmer Okai; cousins Kathryn Jensen (and family members Alison, Dan, Nora, John Charles and Andrea) and John Kottcamp (and family members Teresa and Kristian); and many friends from throughout her life.  

Following her wishes, the family will celebrate Nancy’s life privately. In remembrance of Nancy, she would encourage you to read a good book and to be sure to vote. Nancy’s family thanks the care team at the Lebanon Center with special thanks to Laura.

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.

Arriving there is what you’re destined for.

But don’t hurry the journey at all.

Better if it lasts for years,

so you’re old by the time you reach the island,

wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,

not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey. 

From Ithaka by C. P. Cavafy