Marilyn “Lyn” Joyce Hitchcock Lewis, 87, of Jacksonville, FL passed away March 2, 2026. She was born to George Marshall and Alvia Caroline Atkinson Hitchcock on November 11, 1938 in Everett, Pennsylvania. Lyn graduated from Frostburg State Teacher’s College in Maryland and married her love, James Daniel “Dan” Lewis, Jr. on June 19, 1965. They were married 53 years.

Lyn was an award-winning 1st and 2nd grade teacher in Fernandina, Beach, FL at Fernandina Beach Elementary School and in Jacksonville, FL at Arlington Heights Elementary, The Bolles School and Hendricks Methodist Day School where she taught alongside her sweet friends Nancy, Jean and Rona.

Lyn and Dan were active members of Riverside Park United Methodist Church, where she loved serving and participating in her Circle. We are so thankful for her many church friends, especially her lovely friend, Emily. Lyn enjoyed volunteering at her children’s schools and at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital, where she set a record for number of hours, serving with her sidekick, Jane, as a “pink lady.” (They were nicknamed for their pink uniforms). She created many treasures with needlepoint, cross stitch and knitting and enjoyed reading, going to the beach and traveling to storytelling conferences with friends.

Lyn was the ultimate homemaker who loved making her home beautiful and welcoming. She hosted many parties, showers, family dinners, holiday celebrations, even two of her sibling’s weddings. She was famous for her delicious meals and treats. But her favorite role in life was being a grandmother to her grandchildren who called her “Nandy.” She delighted in them, spending many hours reading to them, teaching them, loving them, and cheering at their sporting events. Nandy gave the very best hugs! Celebrating holidays was a top priority; and she was always able to persuade Santa and the Easter Bunny to make an extra stop at her house.

Lyn was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, George “Bud” Hitchcock, her sister-in-law, Barbara, and her brother-in-law, Robert “Mack” McDonald. She is survived by her children Caroline (Ian) Stake and Jim (Katie) Lewis and grandchildren Chandler and Harrison Stake and Chloe and Daniel Lewis. She is also survived by her younger siblings, Walter “Ted” Hitchcock (Kim) and Judith “Judi” McDonald, niece, Julie Hillis and nephew, Mark Hitchcock (Jessica) as well as Ian’s parents, Paul and Janet Stake. She loved her family and treasured time spent together.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers who helped us love Mom so well: Petra, Daphne, Jane, Alexis, Annie and Jasmine, as well as those who helped her attend her beloved church in recent years: Emily, Page, Kit and Corky. Thank you all for your faithfulness.

The funeral service will be officiated by Lyn’s pastor, Rev. Emily Knight, on March 16 at 11am at Riverside Park United Methodist Church, followed by a reception. The family will receive friends in the church from 10:00 am until service time. A private burial will take place at Oaklawn cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lyn’s name to Riverside Park United Methodist Church at 819 Park St. Jacksonville, FL 32204 or to LaGrange College Office of Philanthropy, LaGrange College, LaGrange, GA 30240 for a scholarship in her mother’s name: The Alvia Hitchcock Scholarship Fund.