Dayle (Huffman) Lewis, age 75, passed away on November 4, 2026, at Highland Hospital, with her husband and children by her side, following a long battle with breast cancer. She was born on June 22, 1951, in Rochester, New York, to the late Fred and Patricia Huffman. Dayle was a lifelong resident of the Greater Rochester area and graduated from Monroe High School in 1969.
Dayle is survived by her husband of 31 years, Mark; her children, Breann (Bob) Krause of Hemlock, NY and Tom Bleier of New Market, MD; her siblings, Eliot (Essy) Huffman, Robin (Art) Pfenninger, and Alan (Madeleine) Huffman; her grandchildren, Courtney (Alex) Wolfson, Mollie (Cole) Mart, Aiden and Emmy Bleier; her great-grandson, Malcolm; and many nieces and nephews.
Dayle devoted more than 20 years to her passion for the Löwchen dog breed, traveling throughout New York State and beyond to show her beloved dogs and earning numerous prestigious awards, including an invitation to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. She eventually established Mardays Löwchen, a kennel name combining her name with her husband Mark’s and was recognized as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Breeder of Merit. She also served as President of the Löwchen Club of America and developed lasting friendships with breeders, exhibitors, and families around the world, sharing her love of the breed with countless others.
Remembering others from the community
Friends and family are invited to call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 21 Big Tree Street, Rte 15 & 20A, Livonia, NY. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.