Obituary of LEWIS – Alisha Anne

April 13, 1988 – June 8, 2010 At 10:50 a.m. at the Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, AB, Alisha Anne Lewis gave up her struggle for life and slipped quietly away. Held closely in the arms of her beloved twin sister Aimee, and surrounded by her loving family, Alisha leaves behind her dearest mom, Andrea Lewis McLaren (Calgary, AB), her dad, Derek Lewis (Bassano, AB), her twin sister, Aimee (Calgary, AB), and brothers, Aaron and Aiden Lewis (Bassano, AB). Alisha enjoyed a special rapport with her extended family, step dad, Roger McLaren (Calgary, AB) and step brothers, Jordan and Brendan McLaren (Calgary, AB). She was especially close to her Nana and Grumpa, Judi and Terry Whittaker (Nanaimo, BC), her Aunty Rachel Paul (Austin, TX), and Uncles Cameron and Stuart Paul (Calgary, AB); Grampa “Horsey”, Colin Paul, and Grandma, Marj Paul (Campbell River, BC), as well as Grandpa Dennis and Grandma Kaye Lewis (Bassano, AB), Uncle Darryl Lewis, Aunty Marcie Lewis and cousin Ryley Lewis (Calgary, AB). Alisha passed away on the 94th birthday of her great-grandmother, “Nanny Bell” Doris Belchamber (Kirbister, Orkney, Scotland). In the spring of 1990, an outing to a well known fast food outlet was a treat for Alisha and Aimee. They shared a cheeseburger. Two days later they were admitted into Alberta Children’s Hospital where they were diagnosed with hamburger disease, the “e-coli” virus. They were just two years of age and their story made national headlines. Fortunately Aimee recovered quickly, but for Alisha this dreadful disease ran the full gauntlet. All of her major organs were affected and she went into complete renal failure. After six long agonizing weeks she was finally discharged but it was with permanent kidney damage and the knowledge that one day she would probably need a kidney transplant. Shortly before her thirteenth birthday she was diagnosed with ‘Type 1’ diabetes. Unfortunately for Alisha, complications arising from this new illness were to have a devastating physical effect on her life and she was to spend so much of her final nine years in hospital. Even so, Alisha loved to live and laugh and love. She will be remembered most for her love of animals, her wonderful sense of humour, her beautiful smile and the most amazing ‘amber coloured’ eyes. Rest in Peace, our sweet darling girl. Forever in our hearts until we meet again. A Celebration of Alisha’s Life was held at McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes “Fish Creek Chapel” on Friday, June 11, 2010. Alisha also requested that a memorial service be held at Elliots Beach on Vancouver Island. This tranquil beauty spot was her favourite place and there will be a gathering of family and friends on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., to carry out Alisha’s request and to say a final good-bye. A potluck luncheon and get together will follow at the home of Bruce Mason. You are invited to attend. For more information, please email or .