Michelle Widgins Lewis, a tireless housing advocate, champion of the underdog and founder and CEO of the nonprofit Northwest Counseling Services (NCS), died June 29 after a 10-year battle with cancer. She was 69.
Lewis lived her entire life in Northwest Philadelphia. She grew up in West Oak Lane and graduated from La Salle University, then earned a master’s degree in human services from Lincoln University. She was a member of the American Bar Association, a forensic real estate expert and was HUD-certified.
“She always had a passion for helping people,” her son, Michael Anthony Brown, told the Local last week. Brown is director of business relations for NCS who has been with the nonprofit for 16 years. Brown and his wife, Mariam, are also pastors who founded Jesus in the Building Church, 200 W. Fisher Ave. in Olney, 12 years ago. The congregation includes about 100 members. The church also operates two child care facilities, Arrow at the Gate Learning Center, at 7206 and 7136 Rising Sun Ave.
NCS, which has 15 employees, offers services such as financial literacy, credit counseling, home repairs and home-buying assistance to about 5,000 clients a year. In 2012, NCS was declared the top housing agency in the state by the PA Housing Finance Agency. “We have been able to stop every single foreclosure for everyone who has come to us with that problem,” Brown said.
At press time, Michael Brown’s Facebook page had more than 107 postings of condolence, of which these are typical:
•William Michael Chadwick: “It’s hard to try to find the right words to say to you, my brother. I was in that position seven years ago when I lost my mother. All we can say is that we know she’s with the Lord and in her glory body. My condolences to you and your family. Stay strong.”
•Sophia Nicole: “I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your precious mom. She was a beast in the housing world. This one hurts. Praying for you and your family while you’re going through this tough time.”
•Faith Brown: “Your Mom was special to God. I know this because she gave birth to you. One thing I can say with confidence is that she was proud of you. You did your job as a son because she did such a good job as your mother. She was so beautiful inside and out. I know the angels in heaven are rejoicing to receive such a loving soul.”
According to a statement from her family, “Among her closest friends and siblings, Michelle’s influence reached far beyond her own achievements and will continue through those she encouraged and uplifted. Through her guidance, we became stronger students, are better equipped to build meaningful careers and are more loving, supportive members of society.
“Michelle held a deep love of God and Christian values, leading with compassion and a strong sense of responsibility from an early age, including her first official job at just 12 years old. Wise beyond her years, she connected easily with people across generations and from every walk of life.”
Lewis founded and chaired the Philadelphia Predatory Lending Task Force and led both the National Real Estate Institute and the American Society of Certified Housing Executives, where she trained industry professionals.
Her work included service as a forensic real estate expert, fraud examiner, practicing real estate broker and appraiser and qualified expert in federal court. She was a member of the American Bar Association and the Real Estate Educators Association, and she wrote articles for the American Bar Association Journal.
But Lewis’ real passion was music. She was a singer in two bands, the Mirror Band and Mitchell & Company, performing in local clubs for 15 years. “If there was a microphone, she’d be there,” Brown said. “Jazz, pop and soul. She was a natural. She loved Barbara Streisand. She was also a good cook and loved preparing Thanksgiving dinners and doing crossword puzzles.”
Lewis was divorced twice from Tyrone Lewis and Michael Brown, respectively. Lewis was preceded in death by her father, Wayman, and mother, Dolores; her brother, Wayman Jr. and sister, April. In addition to her son and daughter-in-law, Lewis is survived by her daughter, Anji Fazio, and son-in-law, Jeffery; daughter Tracey and son Richard; brothers Jonathan and Anthony; sister Dionne; six grandsons; two granddaughters; a host of beloved family members friends, and her church family at Jesus in the Building Ministry.
A memorial service was July 16 at Verity Outreach Worship Center in North Philadelphia.
Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.
