Amy Levin

Amy Lynn (Higgins) Levin, of Bainbridge Island, died at home on March 17, surrounded by her family, following a long battle with cancer. She was 66.

She was born in Clarinda, Iowa on May 28, 1942. She lived most of her productive and happy life in Oberlin, Ohio with her husband and daughters. In 2002, they realized a long-planned retirement to Bainbridge.

She graduated from the University of Iowa and then practiced nursing at University Hospital in Iowa City. Psychiatric nursing was her calling, and she embarked on what became a long and fulfilling career both as a registered nurse and a nursing instructor in Iowa and later in Ohio.

After moving to Oberlin, where she lived for 35 years, she earned a master’s degree in public administration and eventually was appointed executive director of the Board of Mental Health in Lorain County, Ohio, serving until 2002.

Wherever she worked, she was respected and beloved by her colleagues, and at every step, while she established her career, she made a home for her family that was filled with the radiance and love that she brought to it.

In addition to her professional achievements, she was an accomplished painter; her art lives on as a testament to her view of life, beauty and the world.

She is survived by her husband, Dick; her three daughters, Rebecca, Susan and Sarah; three sons-in-law, Chinyalu (ChiChi) Egbuna, Michael Alkaitis, and Mark Nelson; and grandchildren Phoenix, Noah, Pharaoh, Oz and Alana, with one more yet to put in an appearance.

She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Andrew and Sue Ann Higgins, and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Laura and Jerry Stevens, and Joy and Richard Hartstack, and their families, along with many dear friends.

Friends and family are invited to come together at 3 p.m. May 16 at Island Center Hall, 8395 Fletcher Bay Rd., to honor and celebrate her life with song and remembrance.

The family will be at home from noon throughout the day on May 17, 10221 Beachcrest Dr., 855-9642.

At her request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Amy Levin Fund, established by her former colleagues at the time of her retirement, both to honor her and to carry forth her mission of care of the mentally ill. The fund is administered by the Community Foundation of Lorain County, 1865 N. Ridge Rd. E., Ste. A, Lorain, OH 44055.

An online guest book is at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.