Brittany Nicole (Lewis) Young

 

The Lewis family is saddened to announce the death of their beloved daughter on May, 26, 2021.  Services were held at Duneland Community Church on June 1, 2021.

Brittany arrived into the world at her pace and in her own way. On Dec 23, 1988 her twin brother struggled to be born first as Brittany held back – not in any hurry.  As she always would, she arrived when she was ready – her way.

A beautiful baby and loveable toddler she grew into a bit of a ham and enjoyed some early success on the pageant circuit. Her energy, charm, love of the limelight and fondness for all things pink and sparkly set her up for a number of trophies and ribbons.  Dona, her mother, remembers this mother- daughter time as some of the best- times before life became more complicated.

Her father, Rick, fondly recalls hiking and fossil hunting with her and her brothers Nick and Jacob.  Later, she came to prefer manicures and shopping to creek exploration but she always enjoyed time with family.  Her brothers will recall that she was a bit bossy (as sisters are) but fiercely loyal and willing to fight any battle if she felt her brothers were being treated unfairly.

Through difficult times, the family often managed to gather for special occasions to play cards and other games for hours on end.  These family gatherings provided the family an opportunity to maintain connections which can so easily be lost.  In these hours, laughter and shared stories created a bond that will last forever.

And, although the role was brief and not without its heartaches, Brittany was a mother.  She would readily acknowledge that she did not carry out this role in the way that she had wished she could and lamented her inability to do so.  She loved her family deeply- if imperfectly.  Hopefully, this will be understood with time.

Most of you know about Brittany’s struggle with addiction.  Addition is an ugly, destructive, relationship destroying illness that devastates families and friendships.  Brittany once had dreams of family and stability but addiction robbed her of this. So many people are introduced to drugs via an injury or surgery and then are unable to untangle themselves from the powerful pull of these drugs as was the case with Brittany.  Many of you have or will impacted by someone close dealing with this and the family hopes that you will dig deep inside to find a way to help, to love and to understand. Brittany’s family knows this is not easy and you will not always get it right but we have to try as a community to find ways to provide support.  That is how we can remember Britany in a meaningful way.

Brittany’s life could be complicated and yes, sometimes messy.  Now, that is past and she can rest and hopefully all of you have memories of her, times when you laughed together and times when you know that in spite of challenges and disappointments you wished each other well.  That will endure.

Thank you again to all of you who spared time from busy lives to say goodbye and share in our remembrance.  Your love and empathy mattered in Brittany’s life and matters again so much today.

Rick, Dona, Nick and Jacob Lewis

 

She Is Gone  

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she is gone

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

 

David Hawkins

 

 

 

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