EDMONDS – Yvonne Lewis was dedicated to her three sons and treasured every moment with them, her family said Friday.
“She sacrificed to keep peace in her family for the sake of her children,” according to a statement issued by the Edmonds woman’s family.
Lewis, 49, was shot to death Thursday night during a dispute with her husband, who later turned the gun on himself.
She died from gunshot wounds to her head and torso inside her home in the 5100 block of 161st Place SW, the Snohomish County medical examiner said Friday.
Her husband, Robert Lewis, 50, suffered a gunshot wound to his head and died Friday night at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The couple’s 11-year-old son called police about 10:30 p.m. to report that his parents were fighting, Snohomish County sheriff’s spokesman Rich Niebusch said.
“His mom was screaming to go outside in the driveway and call 911. He heard the shots while he was on the phone,” neighbor Sherrie Mulligan said.
The couple’s 16-year-old son was at Mulligan’s house at the time of the shooting, she said.
The couple’s older son, who just turned 18, was in Eastern Washington.
“The boys are going to go through a rough time now. It’s bad enough to lose your parents, but to lose them this way” is horrible, Mulligan said.
Investigators didn’t know Friday what the couple were arguing about prior to the shootings, Niebusch said.
Police didn’t have any record of domestic violence at the house, he added. Neighbors said they could not recall any violence between the couple.
The family had lived on the small cul-de-sac for at least 20 years, neighbor Jon Mason said.
Yvonne Lewis used to baby-sit him when he was a toddler, he said.
“She was an awesome person. She loved her kids and worked hard for them. She was a devout Christian,” Mason said.
The Edmonds mother was a longtime member of the Westgate Chapel in Edmonds, where she sang in the choir.
“She was well loved. She was generous. She was a very treasured member of the choir,” said Cindi Bowen, a grief counselor for the church.
In the statement, her family wrote that Lewis, a dedicated daughter, sister and aunt, always had a smile for everyone and a song in her heart.
“She gave her voice to glorify the Lord,” her mother said in the statement.
The family wrote that they are finding comfort in their memories of her and her faith and love.
Edmonds School District staff were also saddened at the news Friday. Yvonne Lewis worked in the kitchen at Meadowdale High School. Before that, she worked in the food services department at Meadowdale Middle School.
“She was well known, well liked, and there are a lot of distraught people in our district,” said Debbie Jakala, a district spokeswoman. “A sweet, sweet, sweet woman. That’s a word everyone seems to use to describe her.”
The brothers are staying with relatives in the area. A fund for them will be set up by Monday, Bowen said.
“Yvonne loved life, and she was always hoping for a brighter day. Her faith and her love will be a comfort to her family,” the statement said.
Reporter Eric Stevick contributed to this story.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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