Natalie Lewis

After a brief battle with cancer, Natalie “Hope” Lewis, 82, died peacefully on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at her home in Bridgton, surrounded by her son and daughters.

Natalie, known to her friends and family as Hope, was born to Joseph Henry Ringers and Natalie Sloat Callaghan, in Bridgeport, Conn., on Feb. 12, 1935. Her family relocated to Forest Hills, N.Y., where she lived until attending Endicott College in Beverly, Mass. During her college years, she met Ralph Lewis Jr. The two were married in Nov. 1954 and raised their four children in Beverly, Mass. They eventually relocated to Naples, Maine in 1975, where they had previously spent many years vacationing and enjoying the lakes and mountains with their children.

Not only was Hope an avid skier, she was an accomplished equestrian. She loved all animals but her greatest passion was her treasured horses. Hope was also a very talented artist and her family will cherish her many paintings that grace their homes.

Hope was predeceased in death by her husband Ralph in 1989. Hope will be loved and missed by her family — her daughters Hope Beal (Jon) of Bridgton, Carrie Lowell (John) of Center Harbor, N.H., and Cynthia Coffin of Center Harbor, N.H.; her son, Ralph Lewis (Jackie), Sugar Hill, N.H., her brother, Denny Ringers of Wilmington, N.C.; eight grandchildren; and other relatives and close friends.

At Hope’s request, there will not be a service at this time. Her family is planning a celebration of her life in the spring at her home in Bridgton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent on her behalf to either the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals or to a cancer organization of your choice.