Almeda Boulton

BOULTON, MISS H. ALMEDA Muskegon Miss H. Almeda Boulton passed away on October 15, 2005. Miss Boulton was born September 18, 1909 on a farm between Colling and Unionville in Tuscola County, MI. Her father was Arthur William Boulton and her mother was Jennie Mae Northrip Boulton. Her mother's death in 1911 left her in the care of her Grandmother Northrip for several years. Early years were spent without playmates except for joyful visits with cousins in Saginaw and Cass City several times a year. Since she had no brother or sister, these cousins were to be her most cherished "family" for the rest of her life. She outlived them all except for a dear cousin Clara Cartwright Loyd of Florida. Miss Boulton said of herself, "I loved roaming in the woods nearby the farm and reading books in the Caro Library. I used to pick small fruits we raised to sell. I attended Darbee School and made friends there. When I was to start the eighth grade, my Grandmother who was now of advanced age, moved to Caro and we gave up farm life. I, of course, went with her, bitterly hating to give up Darbee School one year early." In the years to come Miss Boulton graduated high School where she also worked as a librarian. She then attended Central State Teachers College now Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant. She received a life certificate and a Bachelor of Science degree with honorable mention for scholarship in the sciences and French. As it so often happens today, she was unable to find work in her field and spent the next three years in a variety of positions. She knew above all that she wanted to teach. She was finally offered a position with the Muskegon Public School teaching elementary science. She taught several different grades in the Muskegon Public Schools until her retirement. Her education and research abilities made her an expert in the work of the genealogist. She was contacted by people from all over the United States for help in their endeavors. Miss Boulton traveled all over the world taking dozens of slides, which she used for "travelogue" presentations. Her library of slides was given to the Veterans Hospital. Her life has been spent studying the realms of ancestry, birds and flora and fauna, writing poetry and extending her education and learning in any way she could, especially during her many travels. She was a great friend of Margaret Drake Elliott and spent many enjoyable hours with her collecting and categorizing rocks for her extensive collection and attending "bird counts" each year. Her rock collection was given to Grand valley State University to be used by teachers and students all over West Michigan. Some of her species of rock were added to the permanent collection. She belonged to the Central United Methodist Church and a long list of organizations, which provided her with many long and endearing friendships. Her most beloved was The Writers, a group of poets with whom she met in the Norton Library for over 70 years. Miss Boulton never married. Having no children of her own, she devoted herself to teaching young people. She was generous with her vast knowledge of literature and poetry and her companions could always count upon her to be a fair and honorable critic of the poetic and written word. She was a gracious and kind lady who lived an independent life, was frugal where it counted and found joy and wonder in the song of birds, the wild flowers of the woods, the beauty of babies, the terror of a coming storm, the mystery of the night and the unexpected love from a friend. SERVICE Wednesday, October 19, 2005, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel with Rev. Dr. Randall R. Hansen officiating. Interment at Almer Township Cemetery, Caro, MI. VISITATION Wednesday, one hour prior to the service at Clock Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: Central United Methodist Church. Clock - Muskegon