Bertha Newell

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Bertha Newell brought such beauty and warmth to the world around her. Her love for and the devotion to her family was unmatched, and her quiet resilience carried her through the trials that came her way at times. Bertha was no stranger to hard work, but she also made the time to find the splendor in each new day. A woman who was truly beautiful on the inside and out, Bertha will be deeply missed while the memories she leaves behind remain priceless treasures in the lives of all those who held her dear. As the decade that became known as the Roaring Twenties dawned in America, we were poised and ready to move forward from the hardships of WWI. With the end of the war in 1919 we were recognized as a world leader, which left the eyes of the world focused on our shores for what was to come. The days that followed ushered in great strides in the world of flight, the explosion of commercial radio stations, and advances in technology that forever transformed the cultural fabric of our nation. It was during the peak of the summer in 1920 that a young couple from Sullivan Township, Michigan, was filled with great joy to welcome a healthy baby girl into their family on August 12th. Baby Bertha May was one of 13 children born to her parents, Charles and Matilda (Swenor) Glassnor, in Muskegon, Michigan. She was raised on the family farm just to the east of Muskegon where she did her fair share of farm chores. As a student Bertha attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade called Updyke School, located in Ravenna. The school was quite a distance from home, so she usually hitched a ride with the milkman during the winter. It was as a young woman that Bertha moved to Muskegon. Once there she found work at the Amazon Knitting Factory. A new and exciting change was in store for Bertha when she met the man who stole her heart while at a dance at Dalton Hall. His name was Gordon Newell, and they soon began dating. After falling deeply in love the couple became husband and wife on April 16, 1938. The newlyweds settled into a home on Valley Street on the east side of Muskegon where they kept a few horses on the property. Bertha found work as an assembly line worker at Muskegon Piston Ring where she worked in a variety of positions over the 33 years that followed. She was a hard worker who was even voted Mrs. Labor Day by fellow co-workers. Bertha remained there until she retired in 1972. The couple eventually moved to a house on Cottonwood in Fruitport where they welcomed a baby boy named Michael whom they were overjoyed to adopt in 1954. The Newell family enjoyed spending time together whenever they could. Some of their most treasured moments were spent camping in their motorhome. They frequented Blue Lake and other campgrounds up north. Throughout their married life Bertha and Gordon deeply loved one another. They were quite the pair who loved having fun and being social. They liked going out square dancing and polka dancing, and they were also members of the Fruitport Eagles. Along with other friends from the Eagles, Bertha and Gordon were also members of a motorcycle club. They had a great group of friends who often gathered at various homes for lively card games and good times. Once their son was grown Bertha and Gordon moved into a trailer in Arlington Estates. Once they retired they became avid bingo players, and they also continued camping, too. Together Bertha and Gordon were also actively involved in raising their granddaughter, Tonya. Although she was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved husband in 1981, Bertha continued to live on her own while making the most of the days she was given. Later in life Bertha kept busy with things she enjoyed. She volunteered in the gift shop at Mercy Hospital and although she dated some, at times seriously, Bertha never had a desire to marry again. She was a saxophone player in the Auto Strippers Band where all the instruments were made from old auto parts. Their group often performed at area nursing homes. Bertha was part of a coffee group called the Dunkin Donuts Gang that regularly got together for many years. This group frequently celebrated birthdays together. She continued to gather with her bingo group and attended dances at the Eagles and went to area fish fries as well. Those who knew Bertha were aware of her love for the Detroit Tigers as she often watched their games on television and even went to a couple of games with her family. In 1996 Bertha moved to Riverdale, Michigan, to live with her granddaughter, Tonya. This was a highlight of her life as she absolutely loved being with her great-grandchildren. Several times a year she traveled back to Muskegon where she stayed with her niece, Barb, for two to four weeks at a time. Bertha loved visiting with her brothers and sisters as well as her friends during her time back home. During her sunset years Bertha dealt with some health struggles with arthritis. Eventually the years took their toll and although her body grew weaker, her mind remained as sharp as it had ever been. She was thrilled that she was able to return to Tonyas home under hospice care after suffering a stroke last month. It was surrounded by her family that Bertha drew her last breath. With so much love for those around her, Bertha Newell made a significant impact in the lives of her friends and family. She was content in both the great joys and the deep sorrows of life, her love for living never wavering. Although she loved being a mother, Bertha just may have argued that being a grandmother and great-grandmother was her greatest gift. The lives of many will be forever changed because of her love. Bertha M. Newell died Thursday, April 19, 2012. Berthas family includes her son, Michael Newell of CA; 2 grandchildren, Tonya Graham and Melody Suzor; sister, Viola Shellito; brother, Frank (Cora) Glassnor; many nieces & nephews. Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon in 1981; and by 10 brothers & sisters. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 1:00 p.m. at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visit with Berthas family and friends on Tuesday, 1 hour prior at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.