Glendale Memorial Hospital is extremely fortunate to have many generous individuals who donate their time and talents, but none who has given of herself so greatly and for so long as Louise Wilson Lewis.
After an extended battle with cancer, Louise passed away at home on August 18, 2011.
Louise was born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles and was raised in the Glendale area. As a teenager, she was very active in her church youth group at St. Francis Episcopal in Atwater. Her minister wanted to involve the church youth in the local community and suggested forming the “Volunteens” to help at Glendale Memorial Hospital. At age 16, Louise became a “Volunteen” at the hospital wearing a traditional “candy stripper” uniform. She was later honored as the first youth volunteer at Glendale Memorial to achieve 1,000 hours of service.
Louise had a full-time career with Walt Disney Studios for 14 years before co-founding Iwerks Entertainment. Even with her busy work schedule, she would set aside three hours every Wednesday evening to work in the gift shop, schedule volunteers and work with the Guild.
Throughout her 48 years of volunteer service, Louise helped in many departments around the hospital and also served on the Hospital’s Community Board of Directors, was the first woman Chair of Glendale Memorial Health Foundation Board of Directors, was President several times of the Hospital’s Auxiliary Guild, served two terms as President of the San Gabriel Area Council on Hospital Volunteers and two years on the Volunteer Board of the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. The P.E.O. and Las Candelas are also organizations that Louise was involved with.
St. Francis Church was close to Louise’s heart and she dedicated her time there also. She was the first Lay Vicar at St. Francis and was involved with the Altar Guild, the Thrift Shop, Girl’s Youth Group, Vacation Bible School, Rose Garden, Junior Warden, Bishop’s Warden and visited the elderly in convalescent hospitals.
In addition to an amazing career and volunteer record, Louise also had a fulfilling personal life. “I really admired Louise for her endless dedication to others that I have witnessed during our 38 wonderful years together,” says Tim.
Louise loved children and enjoyed spending time with her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and her godchildren. Louise’s other passions were cooking and gardening.
“There isn’t anything Louise couldn't do,” says Jan Giacoma, Louise’s best friend of 50 years. “She was the most interesting person I have ever known and I would not be the person I am today without her. Even through her long and arduous journey with her disease, you never heard Louise complain at all.”
Over the years, Louise received many honors including Uni-Health Hospital System Volunteer of the Year in 1997, special recognition at the 2002 Evening of Wine & Roses event, recognition from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the Glendale Young Women’s Christian Association Woman of Heart and Excellence in 2004, the 29th Congressional District Woman of the Year in 2005, and Glendale Memorial Hospital’s Values in Action award.
Louise is an inspiring example of how one person can make an enormous impact on the lives of others. She once said, "Volunteering is not a choice, it's a responsibility; it's ingrained in me to give back to the community." And the community, including Glendale Memorial Hospital, will greatly miss Louise Wilson Lewis.
