We mourn the passing of Maria L. "Lewie" Lamberton, 92, who died at New Hanover Regional Medical Center on July 30, 2015. She was a naturally happy person who loved life, laughter, and people. She often said she'd had a beautiful life, and if given a choice, would have it go on forever. She was deeply grateful to Dr. Hubbard and the marvelous doctors and staff at New Hanover Regional Medical Center who saved her life in 2007. Lewie's priorities were family: husband, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She made her home in Wilmington in 1984 to see more of her cousins and because of her family’s historic ties to the city. Lewie was born April 12, 1923 in Philadelphia to John Leeds Barroll and Mary Hargrove Bellamy Barroll and was a great-granddaughter of John Dillard Bellamy who built the Bellamy Mansion. She spent memorable childhood years in Southern France and Wilmington before returning to Philadelphia where she made her debut at the Colonial Dames House in the 1942-43 season. She then joined the Women's Army Air Corps in the midst of World War II and served in Texas from 1944 to 1945. A mutual friend at the Navy League in Philadelphia introduced her to Ian K. Lamberton, and they were married in 1949. For the next seven years the couple lived in the Territory of Hawaii, where her four children were born. Lewie adored Hawaii and was the force behind many family gatherings in the Islands in later life. From 1957 to 1977, Lewie adapted to the chill of Connecticut and raised her children in Darien, and thereafter lived in Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia until the couple moved to Wilmington. She was a summer resident of Cape May, NJ for more than 50 years. Over these years, Lewie was involved in many church and other charities and had a special interest in Planned Parenthood. She was a member of the New Hanover Society of the Colonial Dames of America and served as Chairman for six years. Lewie was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Ian K. Lamberton, in November 2014, and by her sisters, Mary Hargrove Rogers and Marguerite Bellamy Hunsiker in the early 1980s. She is survived by her children, Ian K. Lamberton, Jr. (and his wife Ines,) of Tacoma, WA; Anna L. Whelpley of Wilmington; Maria L. Morrow (and her husband Robert,) of Wyndmoor, PA; and Rolland H. Lamberton of Wilmington. She is survived by six grandchildren: Mary Bellamy Whelpley of Wilmington; Maria L. Lamberton of Ithaca, NY; John K. Lamberton of Los Angeles; Robert H. Morrow IV of Columbia, SC; Ian L. Morrow of Los Angeles; and Anna L. Morrow of Philadelphia. She is survived by her brothers, John Leeds Barroll of Washington, D.C., and Lawrence Lewis Barroll of Savannah, GA, as well as by sixteen nieces and nephews. A service will be held at Saint James Church, Wednesday, August 12, at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following. Interment will be private and occur at a later date and place. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to might consider a charitable gift to Saint James Church or The Good Shepherd Center. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com. Andrews Market Chapel Service.
