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Cheryl K. Lewin
Cheryl K. Lewin, 59, a graphic and interior designer who worked as a creative director for several consumer product companies, died at home in Bridgehampton on October 6 after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 59.
Ms. Lewin will be best remembered by the hundreds of people who became her extended family in the Hamptons as a huge-hearted advocate for animals and animal rights and a fiercely loyal and generous friend.
In addition to her beloved dogs, Clyde, Willow, and Sofia and her cat Lucy, Ms. Lewin adopted and adored many strays over the years, including her dearest companion, Sally, who died a few years ago, survivors said. Ms. Lewin was also a fixture at the East Hampton office of the Animal Rescue Fund where, until she became too weak to make the trip, could be seen walking and playing with the animals residing there. She was relentless in her campaign to match people with pets and had an extensive portfolio of successful pairings. She had an uncanny ability to make connections with people and animals.
Born in San Francisco, on June 5, 1953, she was raised in Los Angeles. Her parents, Elyse, a photographer and filmmaker, and Robert, a prolific television and screen writer, had two other children, Cheryl’s sister Lian and brother James. Her father died in 2007 and the rest of her immediate family still resides in California. Ms. Lewin graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and immediately moved to New York City.
The “California girl” had grand plans for a life in fashion and design and wasted no time in making that dream a reality. After mentoring with Milton Glaser and working for several design firms, she founded her own graphic and product design firm, Lewin Design Associates, working with clients such as Tiffany & Co, Brunshwig & Fils, Conran’s and Heller. She, and her then husband, Bruce Nelson, were early owners of a loft in the garment district.
In 1994, Cheryl became vice president and creative director of Estee Lauder, managing 15 art directors and production managers. She left in 1999 to assume the same title at Bloomingdales’s-By-Mail, where she created their nationwide marketing plan and oversaw a large staff including art directors and copywriters. In 2001, she designed and developed a line of accessories for the pet industry and brought her products to market. In 2003, she moved back to the West Coast to take a position with Harry and David’s to overhaul their consumer packaging and promotion design; Ms. Lewin became creative director for brand development and spent several years in Oregon, building a new image for the company and investing in real estate.
Numerous awards and professional recognition were frequently earned for her design campaigns from organizations and magazines, including AIGA, Communication Arts, Print and the Art Director’s Club of New York.
Ms. Lewin long maintained her second home and “refuge” in Bridgehampton. And after achieving her goals with Harry and David, she returned to New York. A position as design consultant with Design Within Reach at the East Hampton location allowed her to fulfill her dream of living and working in the Hamptons.
Ms. Lewin is survived by her mother, Elyse Lewin and her husband Lester Wertheimer of Los Angeles; a sister, Lian Murray of Newport Beach; a brother, Jim Lewin of Santa Cruz.
She will be remembered by friends, colleagues, clients and acquaintances, as a consummate professional, a perennially optimistic and enthusiastic spirit, an extraordinarily intuitive individual, a “fashionista” and an exemplary human being. No one who ever met Ms. Lewin could resist her quiet charisma, her honest and forthright manner, her quick humor and her genuine interest and concern for one’s well-being, survivors said.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Animal Rescue Fund, PO Box 901, Wainscott, NY 11975.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in Sag Harbor.
on Oct 19, 2012