Golden Couples of Pacific Palisades—Herb and Anne Lewis

Herb and Anne Lewis: October 16, 1941

After nearly 72 years of marriage, Anne and Herb Lewis are still as much in love as they were the day they got married in 1941.
When they said their “I Do’s” on October 16, Franklin Roosevelt was president, the country was close to entering World War II and “The Maltese Falcon” had just been released.
Since that time, the East Coast natives have lived a storybook romance that took them on adventures around the globe. “We’ve traveled the world,” Anne, 94, told the Palisadian-Post. “We went to Africa on safari for our 60th anniversary, our last big trip. For our 50th, we went on the Queen Elizabeth and flew on one of the Concorde’s last flights. All the way we got champagne.”
The couple settled in Pacific Palisades in 1967. They lived for 40 years in an apartment on Tramonto (until the entire complex was torn down about six years ago) before relocating to Sunset Boulevard near Muskingum. They were happy in a small apartment, especially since Herb traveled a lot for business when he worked for the Bulova Watch Company (35 years), and later the Allison Kaufman diamond manufacturing company. He won many awards during his business career, and the couple moved 13 times.
Anne is a former actress who starred in the Theatre Palisades production of “Driving Miss Daisy” in 2002. A stay-at-home mom when son Mark (now 68) was growing up, Anne has now become caretaker to Herb, who will turn 98 on June 1. Their grandson Brian, 44, lives in Atlanta.
Though they’ve both been blessed with good health and longevity, Anne said, “It’s a day-to-day thing when you get to be this age. You don’t know how you’re going to feel.”
When asked to describe their relationship, Anne replied: “Herb’s an optimist, I’m more the realist. He’s the one with a positive attitude about life and people. I’m his best listener, and we laugh together.”
As a longtime Palisadian, Anne is aware of the many changes that have happened here, and stays aware of current issues by reading the Post. “Everyone wants the good life, and to move to the Palisades. It’s going to keep growing. We can’t fight it, but we can keep it as beautiful as we can.” When she and Herb first drove through town in 1967 and saw the ocean, it reminded her of her hometown of White Plains, New York, and she knew this was the place for them.
Herb, a natural athlete, went to Dodgertown for many years, beginning when Anne sent him there for his 73rd birthday, and at age 87 he was honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame for being the oldest hardball player in organized baseball in the country. A second baseman, he played with men young enough to be his children and grandchildren, eventually retiring when he was 93.
Anne said that she and Herb remain best friends, and still care about making each other happy. “He’s always saying how nice I look, even if I’m in my jeans. So you see, it’s wonderful to have someone like that. I’ve been given a gift to share a life with this beautiful man.”
They’re planning to attend the Woman’s Club luncheon for 90s and older on June 8. “We will be celebrating,” Anne said. “It’s been a beautiful life, darling, a beautiful life. I have been so blessed in so many ways. I’m really a lucky lady. I’m grateful to have lived it with him.”