Jan Oakley Lewis

Jan Oakley Lewis was born April 23, 1947 in Wilmington, Delaware and was the daughter of Donald Ward Oakley, Sr. and Elinor Haskins Oakley. She died on January 29, 2017 in Rochester, Minnesota at Mayo Clinic. Jan grew up with her brother Don and sister Robin in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. She enjoyed swimming and competitive diving, placing second in Diving in the Connecticut State High School Championships. She earned a nursing certificate in Portland, Oregon and later graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Sociology. She met her lifelong husband-to-be, Justin Lewis, while traveling with friends in Europe. Jan and Justin were married in Weston, Massachusetts on September 2, 1972 and moved to Corvallis, Oregon a few years later where they raised their daughters and met many lifelong friends. In Corvallis, Jan earned a Bachelor's degree in nursing from Portland State University, worked as a nurse for Good Samaritan Hospital, taught nursing classes at Linn-Benton Community College, and worked as an Occupational Health Nurse and later a Benefits Supervisor at Hewlett Packard in Corvallis. After being diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, she focused on making the most out of each day. She also took up quilting, became a member of the Quaint Quilters group, and joined the Corvallis chapter of P.E.O. Jan enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and seeing her children and grandchildren grow. She is remembered as being kind and helpful, a person who would listen and give knowledgeable advice even in difficult times, welcoming and caring, and always interested in those around her. Jan and Justin recently spent two years at the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, Minnesota while she waited for a lung transplant. While there, they met many new friends from all over the world who were also awaiting and receiving all kinds of transplants. She became friends with staff as well as many local people in Rochester. In 2012, she received her transplant and then spent an additional year recovering at the Gift of Life before returning to Corvallis. She was incredibly thankful for the chance to spend an additional three years at home after her transplant with her family and friends. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow and mature. Jan is survived by her husband of 44 wonderful years Justin Lewis; daughters Toby Lewis and Lindsey (Marc) Koenig; grandchildren Dulce and Gailen Garcia-Lewis and Kolby, Miley, and Addie Koenig all of Corvallis; brother Donald (Patty) Oakley of Tazewell, Tennessee; sister Robin (Mike) Heaney of Parker, Colorado; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A celebration of Jan's life will be held at 6:00 pm on Monday, February 13, 2017 at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 NW 5th Street in Corvallis. In lieu of flowers and in honor of the incredible opportunity that her donor and the transplant house helped make possible, Jan's family asks that all donations be made to the Gift of Life Transplant House, 705 2nd Street SW; Rochester, Minnesota 55902 and that everyone please consider becoming an organ donor.

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Jan Oakley Lewis

April 23, 1947 - January 29, 2017