Michelle Widgins-Lewis

Michelle Widgins-Lewis was born on May 29, 1957, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following a triumphant 10-year battle with cancer, she passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026, in Abington, Pennsylvania, surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her father Wayman and mother Dolores, her brother Wayman LaMont and sister April. She is survived by her daughter Anji and son-in-law Jeffery; son Pastor Michael and daughter-in-law Pastor Mariam; daughter Tracey and son Richard; brothers Jonathan and Michael; sister Dionne; six grandsons; two granddaughters; a host of beloved family members, friends, and her church family at Jesus in the Building Ministry.

A Life of Service and Harmony

From childhood, Michelle drew people in with her light and her voice. A musician by craft and profession, she brought communities together on stage with Michelle & Company, alongside her sister Dionne in the Mirror Band, and with the Filipino Who-Doggy Band. She maintained a rich library of works by those who inspired her, ranging from My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand and In Goode Faith by Reverend W. Wilson Goode. She could brighten any karaoke session with songs by Bob Dylan, Teena Marie, and Aretha Franklin. She absorbed knowledge with curiosity and wonder, a gift her children now carry forward.

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.

Leadership, Advocacy, and Empowerment

Michelle dedicated more than 45 years to the field of real estate and community advocacy. In 1982, she founded Northwest Counseling Service and went on to lead initiatives that advanced housing education, consumer protection, and professional excellence.

Under her leadership, Northwest helped transform homeownership in Philadelphia. In close partnership with the City of Philadelphia, the Office of Housing and Community Development, and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Northwest helped thousands of people buy homes throughout the city and surrounding neighborhoods. The agency helped thousands more remain in their homes after foreclosure challenges, bringing together community and political leaders to promote equity and excellence in service. From grassroots town hall meetings to major partnerships with HBCUs, Northwest’s impact has been widely felt. For many, it has been life changing.

She 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. 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, chaired the Certification Committee, and co-chaired the Curriculum Committee of the American Homeowner Education and Counseling Institute. She was a published author in the American Bar Association Journal, an alumna of La Salle University and Lincoln University, and a member of Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society.

Legacy of Love and Integrity

Michelle was a teacher, caregiver, advocate, mentor, survivor, servant, optimist, fighter, and believer until her final breath. Her voice will continue to live on in those strengthened by her support and encouragement. She will be remembered as a force for love and positive change, guided by an unwavering commitment to education, integrity, and service.

She was a woman well-loved and deeply revered for a life well lived. We hold her dearly in our hearts, and her legacy remains in the lessons she taught us. May God bless her soul, and may she rest eternally in peace.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michelle Widgins-Lewis, please visit our floral store.