Gale "Kyria" Lewnes

September 20, 2024. Gale "Kyria" Lewnes 88 passed away peacefully with her devoted children Penny Lewnes-King and Peter Lewnes by her side. Early that morning the Greek music that she loved so much ushered her to heaven.

Gale was born on March 25, 1936 on Greek Independence Day to Yianni and Sophia Kritikos in the beautiful mountain village
of Arna in Greece. Her close-knit family consisted of brother Taki (pre-deceased) and sisters Nitsa "Nitsaki" Giannopoulou and Peppy. She attended high school in Gytheio and college in Athens where she began her life-long career in teaching.

On October 11, 1962 Gale married Andrew Lewnes (pre-deceased) in Athens and quickly embarked on a new life in America arriving the day after Thanksgiving. As story has it, she wept leaving her home country until goulash was served on the plane. Andy told us the tears dried up and Gale stated, "you know Andy... maybe America will be a good country after all." Their marriage was one for the story-books lasting close to 29 years of bliss producing two children Penny and Peter.

She quickly enrolled at New York University and finished her education at Jersey City State College. Teaching was her passion and a legacy-making career spanning 26 years in public education and 47 years in Greek school became her life's great work.

Gale was nothing if not goal-oriented...hard working would be an understatement. She met each situation with the same tenacity and achieved everything she set out to do. Her days would begin before 8 AM and ran after 6 PM ending with meeting Andy at the family restaurant.

Retirement was filled with a new full-time passion in becoming the devoted grandmother to Nicole and Andrew King. Her days were consumed with ensuring that all their needs were met. She got to witness their great successes while becoming young adults.

Gale is survived by her children Penny and Peter, grandchildren Andrew and Nicole, son-in-law Eugene King, sisters Nitsa and Peppy and countless friends, cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Funeral Arrangements for our Beloved Gale Lewnes:

Wake Service; Migliaccio Funeral Home, 851 JFK Blvd. Bayonne NJ
Thursday, September 26th
4:00-8:00pm

Trisagion Service; 6:30pm

Funeral Service; St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 524 Summit Avenue Jersey City, NJ
Friday, September 27th,
10:00am

Interment to follow; Hillside Cemetery
742 Rutherford Avenue Lyndhurst , NJ

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by Zelle to stdemetrioschurchjc@gmail.com or writing a check to St Demetrios Church referencing the Greek school scholarship fund.