Dorothy Jean Lewis

Dorothy Jean Lewis, 71, wife of the late John Gordon Lewis of Lake George Road, Newtown, died at Danbury Hospital on August 7.

 She was born in New York City on June 22, 1932, daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Belle Nicoll. She has been a resident of Newtown for more than 40 years.

She is a graduate of Columbia University with a bachelor of science degree and from Yale University with a master of public health degree.

She was a professor of dental hygiene at Bridgeport University, retiring in 1985. In 1987 she joined the faculty at Tunxis Community College in Farmington. While at Tunxis Community College, she served on many community programs affecting dental care for underprivileged children in the Plymouth, Hartford, and New Britain school systems.

She was a participant in the writing of the first health plan for the city of Danbury, a joint effort between Danbury and Yale University School of Public Health. She was also co-author of a Health Manpower Development Grant to Danbury Hospital, which in 1979 allowed for the establishment of the general practice dental residency and the opening of the dental clinic.

She was a member of the Governor’s Task Force on School Health and a member of the school-based Dental Health Service Advisory Board in Danbury. She was active in the Connecticut Dental Hygiene Association.

Throughout her professional life, she believed deeply in the public benefit to be had by greatly expanding the role of dental auxiliaries such as assistants, hygienists, and school dental nurses.

Mrs Lewis is survived by a daughter, Kateri (Kitty) G. Lewis of Newtown.

A memorial service will be at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, on Friday, August 22, at 1 pm.

Contributions may be made to WPKN Radio, 244 University Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

The Newtown Bee        August 15, 2003