Elizabeth Craig Rivers Lewine

Elizabeth Craig Rivers Lewine, born to John M. and Martha R. Rivers on September 7, 1937, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

In a recent conversation with her family, when asked about her life, she modestly suggested that she knew that she would be alright when she could tie her shoelaces with one hand at age 2. She also highlighted graduating from Ashley Hall, where she participated in various sports including setting a track record for the 40-yard dash. She often gave piano recitals, using only her right hand. She was an accomplished student/athlete, skipping a grade before matriculating at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. After Vassar, she taught at Ashley Hall for two years before earning a master’s degree in history at Teachers College, Columbia University. After that experience, she worked for the Dramatists Guild in New York, where she met her husband, a Broadway composer and CBS-TV executive, Richard Lewine, who produced the original Rodgers & Hammerstein “Cinderella”, with Julie Andrews, and the Emmy Award winning “My Name is Barbra” featuring Barbra Streisand.

Later, in Charleston, he produced a stage revival of “Porgy and Bess” in 1985.

Elizabeth and Richard Lewine maintained homes in Manhattan and in Charleston during their 35-year marriage.

In New York, Betty Craig (Elizabeth) also volunteered countless hours at one of her favorite locations - the New York Public Library. She was also an active supporter of her college alma mater, Vassar College.

Throughout her life, Betty Craig (Elizabeth) was also an adventurous world traveler, riding a camel in Egypt, visiting Cuba, the European continent, and exploring Southeast Asia.

After her husband’s death in 2005, she returned to Charleston, where she requested that people in the Charleston area call her Elizabeth as did her friends in New York. Nonetheless, she was also responsive to Betty Craig, BC, Aunt BC, Betty as well as Elizabeth. She served on numerous local committees in Charleston, including being a trustee/trustee emerita for Ashley Hall School, where she was appreciated by being presented the Dewar Gordon Holmes Distinguished Alumna Award for her unwavering support and philanthropy. The school also named a new property acquisition for international students for her. Originally, the housing was called the Elizabeth Craig Rivers Lewine House. Most recently, at her request, the name of the building was truncated to be called the Elizabeth House!

She also served on the Charleston Symphony Board of Directors (2018-2022) as well as being an ardent supporter and patron. Additionally, at the College of Charleston, she was a founding board member and long-time supporter of their Friends of the Library as well as their School of the Arts in multiple disciplines. Reaching further afield with her philanthropy she set up a significant charitable remainder trust at the Coastal Community Foundation to support numerous educational and artistic organizations in the community ranging from the School for the Building Arts to Mepkin Abbey.

Throughout her life she made every effort to make sure that wherever she was involved, that it became better/stronger than when she originally joined. Her philanthropic, athletic, insightful, and academic accomplishments were uniquely beneficial to the recipients and her community. She always “punched above her weight” with generous participation. The world is a better place because of her unselfish support.

She is survived by her sister, Martha Rivers Ingram (her children Orrin, John, David, and Robin Patton); her brother, John M. Rivers, Jr. (his children Martha, Caroline and Minott); her stepson Peter Lewine (Deborah) and their children Mary, Annie Esme, and Eliza; her stepdaughter Cornelia Fortier (Russ), and their son Richard. She was remarkably generous to, and involved in, the lives of her nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren. Her extended family will miss her while being grateful for all the good things she did for so many people.

Burial will be private. A reception will be held Friday, May 8, 2026 at 2:15 pm in Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the ECRL Scholarship Fund at Ashley Hall School, The Charleston Symphony Orchestra, or the charity of one’s choice.