Margaret Jeanne Lewis
01.04.26
One of our brightest angels, Margaret Jeanne Lewis, went home to be with the
Lord on Thursday, January 8, 2026, which was the same day her husband, Don D
Lewis, passed away 39 years ago. At age 101.5, Margaret peacefully transitioned
out of this life with her devoted daughter by her side in Branson, Colorado.
Southeast Colorado is a little darker now, but Margaret left behind a glorious
legacy in the hearts of all those who had the privilege of knowing her.
Margaret was born June 7, 1924, in Las Animas, Colorado, the youngest of six
daughters of Raymond and Jeanne (Gaillour) Oxandaburu. Margaret’s parents
grew up near each other in the Pyrenees Mountain area of southern France but
met in Las Animas. At the time Margaret’s parents each arrived at Ellis Island,
they
knew very few words of English, but Raymond was talented with numbers
and business, and Jeanne was a professional seamstress and an excellent
cook. Margaret was very proud of her family, her French Basque
heritage, and the ranch they built near Mesa de Maya. She grew up
raising cattle and bands of sheep on the Oxandaburu Ranch, as well as
tending to the chickens and a large garden. Margaret’s close
relationship with God and her devout faith also began at a young age, as
the family prayed together in the evenings and both of her parents
instructed the six girls in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
In
1942, Margaret graduated with her high school diploma from Holy Trinity
Catholic school in Trinidad, Colorado. After she received her
elementary education certification, Margaret began her lifelong career
of teaching in 1944. Her first teaching job was at Fallow Springs, east
of Mesa de Maya. Each morning, she would ride her horse Socks about
two miles to the school, and Socks would jump the gates to save her time
from getting on and off!
Margaret
was teaching in Branson when Don returned from the War. He wasted no
time in choosing her as his lifelong partner. They were married on
January 18, 1948, but Don relentlessly teased Margaret that their
anniversary was actually January 17th. They had two children, Dave and
Lori. They raised their children in Branson while Margaret taught
school and helped Don with their cattle and trucking businesses. She
also obtained her bachelor’s degree from Adams State University during
this busy time.
After
teaching full-time for over five decades, Margaret was still the first
substitute called by Branson School until she was in her late 80s.
Margaret also served as a 4-H leader and taught many children to knit,
crochet, sew, and quilt over the years. She also taught catechism for
many years and is the beloved God Mother to many. Margaret was a highly
intelligent woman but her incomparable love for people outshined
everything. She also loved animals and never went too long without
furry (and spoiled) companions. Margaret kept her mind busy with
puzzles and word searches and lived for her phone calls and visits from
friends and family.
Since
she was never one to boast, most people who knew her did not know that
she spoke five languages fluently – she learned English, Basque,
Spanish, and Latin as a child and she taught herself French as an
adult. Her bilingual talents came in handy in 2012 when she traveled to
France with her daughter, her niece Cadette, and three of her
granddaughters. She visited her parents’ hometowns and had a chance
encounter with a first cousin she did not know about, who then took the
day to show her the small farm where her father was raised. Margaret
was 88 years old at the time and had never seen the ocean. Their long
flight was at night, so she saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time on
the beautiful shores of southern France!
Maragaret
was also never one to complain. Her entire life was focused on others,
and she was the best mother, grandmother, aunt, teacher, and friend to
those who were blessed to be in her life. Margaret never got off the
phone with her grandchildren without telling them how proud she was of
them – her buttons would be going “ping, ping, ping”! No one left her
home without being stuffed full (even if you weren’t hungry) and hugged
tightly. Margaret lived through the devastating losses of her husband
in 1987, her son in 2000, and her daughter-in-law in 2019, but she
remained a beacon of selflessness, strength, warmth, and immense love.
Due
to the dedicated care by her daughter Lori and son-in-law Craig Green
over the past few decades, Margaret was able to live at home in Branson
until her last day. She was very thankful for this privilege. Even
when her body was failing her, and Lori or one of her grandkids would
ask how she was feeling, she would say “I’m great Honey, how are you
doing?!”
Margaret
was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters, husband Don, son
Dave, and daughter-in-law Kimmi Lewis. She is survived by her daughter
Lori (Craig) Green of Branson; her six grandchildren – Kelly (Michael)
Wasson of Dresden, KS; Keith (Serenity) Lewis of Fowler, CO; Kenneth
(Stacey) Lewis of La Junta, CO; Kerry (Jacob) Froese of Cheraw, CO;
Kristine (Kyle Lopez) of Franktown, CO; and Korry (Frank Eathorne) of
Douglas, WY; and her eighteen great grandchildren who were her pride and
joy: Michaela, Mitchell, Macy, Kyndal, Landri, Paisley, Ridge, Gracie,
Bella, Gino, Adrienne, Eli, Adalynn, Electra, Davey, June, Scarlet and
William, As well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services for Margaret Jeanne Lewis will be held on Friday, January 23,
2026
at the Branson School Gymnasium: Rosary at 9:30 am and Mass at 10:00 am
with graveside service to follow at Mountain View Cemetery near
Branson.
Services are under the direction of Comi Funeral Home
(www.comifuneralhome.net).
The
family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Borsa
and her staff at Mt. Rose Hospice for their excellent care. To Father
Selva for his compassion and guidance. As well as to Kitsy, Jennifer,
and the staff at Comi Funeral Home for their thoughtfulness and
kindness.