Lois Evelyn Detwiler

Lois Evelyn Detwiler, 89, died on December 5, 2020.

Lois was born on March 29, 1931 to L.Edgar Detwiler and Evelyn Madeline Detwiler (maiden name, Platt) of New York City. Her mother later married to Dr. Ritter Amsel. Lois's early childhood was spent in NYC, with summers on Long Island and visits to Jones Beach. Later, her family moved to San Luis Obispo and then to Los Angeles, California. Lois married Roger McElhone Smith, Jr. of Douglaston, New York.

Lois had an interesting and active life. Her earliest career was as a child model for a New York City newspaper's column on children's etiquitte titled "The Correct Thing". However, on her refrigerator is the quote 'Well-behaved women rarely make history!" Lois worked as an alcohol and drug counselor and helped establish the alcohol and drug counseling program in NYS prisons. Before this, her work was as varied and as unusual as her personality. She taught English to Nurses in Iran, worked at the Hartman Theater in Stamford, Conn., was an Intake Counselor at Heights Psychiatric Hopital, a Gemologist at Cartier's, an Office Manager for an OBGYN practice in Stamford, Conn., an Administrative Assistant at NY Graphic Art Publishers and Jet Party Favors International, and a Customer Service Representative at LaPosada Hotel in Sante Fe, to name a few. Lois was very proud to earn a Bachelor of University Studies Degree at the University of New Mexico in 1985. She gained much personal insight and wisdom through her participation in 12-Step Programs. Lois remained active in retirement, traveling to Turkey, Portugul, France and Spain. She continued to study languages and participated in the wonderful lectures at Oasis in Albuquerque. Lois was an avid reader. Her favorite authors were Orhan Pamuk and Jose Saramago. She loved theater, the opera, and classical music. Lois appreciated nature and hiked in all of the beautiful places she lived.

Lois's daughter, Kristina Robin, is deceased. Her second daughter, Kimberley Anne Smith, resides in Berne, NY with her Husband, James Swint. Lois's brothers, Edgar Amsel and Lee Detwiler, predeceased her, as did her former husband, Allen T. Wedvick. She loved her grandchildren, Abigail Swint (Sam Meigs) , Matthew Edge (Lizette Edge) and her mother, Alema Castillo. Her cat, Aggie was a great companion, as was her beloved dog, Tobie. She felt loved and had much gratitude for the care and concern of her neighbors and friends, Ramon, Rosa, Sherri and Debbie. Lois so enjoyed her many years of correspondence with David, Bill, Dwyer, Mark and Gail and many others.

Donations may be made in honor of her love of animals, nature, and education to the Sierra Club, the ASPCA, or K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks). Due to COVID, no services are scheduled at this time, but we ask that you celebrate life with your loved ones.