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Ora Mae (Robertson) Lewis, 1919-2013
The following is excerpted from an obituary appearing in the December 21, 2013 edition of the Cumberland Times-News:
Ora Mae Lewis graduated from Allegany High School, class of 1937 where she played varsity basketball. She graduated from Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing in 1940. As a young nurse she worked in the operating room at Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. She was there when World War II was declared in 1941. The following year she married William Charles Lewis of Frostburg.
Following the war, she and her family moved back to Cumberland. She was then employed as Medical and Surgical Supervisor, later becoming a teacher-trainer and instructor for Maryland State Nurses Association.
In 1955, Ora Mae was called to American Heart Association as Executive Director of the Western Maryland Chapter. Under her guidance, the young heart association pioneered many programs for the local community especially: the cardiac diagnostic center under leadership of Peter Halmos, MD, CPR training for physicians, nurses, emergency personnel and the general public, rheumatic fever prevention and control program, fire side chats for physicians, professional and public education, blood pressure measurement and control program, annual cardiac nursing seminars, annual physician cardiac services, and sickness and oxygen equipment loan.
Locally Ora Mae served her community throughout her life. She was Chairman of Governor’s Physical Fitness of Allegany County for many years, and was inducted into the Physical Fitness Hall of Fame by Governor Schaefer. She was a member of Sacred Heart Hospital nurses alumnae serving as secretary for 10 years, a member of the advisory board, Allegany County Public Health Department serving as past chairman, a member of emergency medical services Region 11. She counseled and worked with Dr. Halmos in the granting of electrocardiology for emergency medical personnel comprehensive CPR for rescue personnel and public in Allegany and Garrett Counties.
Ora Mae held life memberships in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, receiving Order of the Rose in 1963 and the honor “Girl of the Year in 1957”. She was elected to Who’s Who of American Women in 1962. She is currently a member of the Cumberland Rotary Club, serving as historian and recently received its highest honor, the Paul Harris Award.
Ora Mae completed 32 years with American Heart in 1986. Finding life in retirement was not for her, she decided to try her hand in the retail field. She formed the W. C. Lewis Inc. and purchased Ankeney’s Office Supply in downtown Cumberland which she went on to operate for a number of years until her retirement at age 85.