Obituary of Michelle Lewis - Mila McBride
MICHELLE LEWIS
Dr. Michelle Simone Lewis, PharmD, age 30 was born in Bronxville, NY on September 18, 1990 to Michael and Susan Lewis, joining a loving family with two older brothers, Mark and Ryan. She attended Our Lady of Victory in Mt. Vernon and continued to middle school at Thornton-Donovan in New Rochelle. For high school, Michelle attended The Academy of Our Lady of Good Counsel in White Plains. Always a brilliant student, she was a member of the National Honor Society.
Michelle received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She received her PhD in Pharmacy from Fairleigh Dickerson University in Madison, NJ. Throughout her life, she received many accolades and awards. In addition to being a brain, she was also an accomplished athlete in tennis, track and field, and water sports. A champion swimmer and licensed scuba diver, Michelle was selected to be “The People-to-People Ambassador” for swimming. Michelle received certificates of achievement from The Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) program and The Science and Technology Entry Program from New York State (STEP). This athlete and scholar was also a great beauty and fashionista. Only a few knew that Michelle was also a graduate of the Barbizon School of Modeling! Athlete, Scholar, Beauty. Michelle is what you call a triple threat. But more than that, she embodied a rare combination of all The Graces: Brains, Charm, Elegance, Good Cheer, Youth and Beauty and even a little Sass. She was a gift to humanity.
Michelle enjoyed travelling, exploring new places, experiencing new cultures and local cuisines with her family and group of loyal friends. Whatever Michelle set her eye on, she achieved. She rose quickly in her career and became the Pharmacy manager at Walgreens in Connecticut. She was then recruited by CVS. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and she served tirelessly on the front lines.
She also had Alex, the love of her life by her side. The discovery of becoming a mom filled her with great joy and excitement. Sadly, unforeseen complications occurred while baby Mila was still in the hospital. During this period Michelle faced a great many physical, mental and emotional challenges. Never one to be defeated by difficulties, Michelle was a fiercely protective, loving, hopeful, and caring mother. What baby Mila experienced was traumatic. No matter the odds, one thing remained certain: baby Mila was loved and treasured by her parents and grandparents.
In the best of lives, tragedy strikes. What feels to us like a piercing blow is God reclaiming His angels. Michelle and Mila will be forever in the hearts of their family: Michael and Susan Lewis (parents/grandparents); Alex McBride (fiancé/father); Sean and Darlene McBride (grandparents), and a host of uncles, aunts, extended family and a wide circle of friends. -
MILA McBRIDE
Mila Alexandra McBride, born May 28, 2020, passed in the arms of her loving family on May 13, 2021, only a few short weeks from her first birthday. Mila was the family's little miracle. Mila became very ill while still in the hospital one week after she was born. Although the odds were constantly against her, Mila, like her mother, was a fighter. She overcame the initial illnesses after spending over 6 months in various ICUs, and was finally able to come home and meet the rest of her family. Mila's prognosis was bleak, but she managed to beat the odds and provide her family with 6 beautiful months while living at home with her father, Alex McBride, and her mother, Michelle Lewis. During these 6 months Mila was also loved and cared for by her paternal grandparents, Sean & Darlene McBride, and maternal grandparents, Michael & Susan Lewis. In addition, Mila had many loving aunts, uncles, extended family, and close friends of family who's love was palpable. Although Mila's time with her family was short, it was cherished. She touched so many hearts, brought a smile to so many faces, and will forever have a spot etched in the souls of those lucky enough to have been graced with the presence of her pure, beautiful spirit.In her passing—just as in her life—Mila was embraced and surrounded by the love of her family. She knew in those moments just how much she meant to all of us, and transferred from our arms directly into the arms of God. She left us while being reassured with the echoing words of "it's ok", and "I love you" by all of her loved ones present. Those words will remain with and comfort her until we meet again, in the presence of God.
The family asks that you consider making a donation, in Mila's name to the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital.
Livestream the Funeral Mass here:
In Loving Memory
Michelle Lewis - Mila McBride
Thursday, May 13, 2021
