Noaine Critchett

Noaine Critchett was an honest, practical and hardworking woman. Fiercely independent, Noaine lived a quiet, no-frills but content life devoted to her family, those under her charge and her faith. She had a generous spirit and readily gave of her time and talents. Noaine held herself up to a high standard, and because of her years of dedicated work, she reaped the rewards of a happy place in life with a family that loved her. In 1937, the United States was just beginning to surface from the effects of the Great Depression. President Roosevelt continued to enact his domestic reform program known as the New Deal, yet political conflicts in Europe were also making headlines and within two years, World War II would command everyones attention. Noaine Evelyn Sauser was born on January 2, 1937, in Hart, Michigan, just as these events began to unfold. She was the second child of Pete and Mary(Bogner) Sauser, and the first New Years baby born in Hart. In the Sauser home, Noaine was the second of six children, joining her older sister, Shirley, followed by four brothers, Donald, Pete, Ken and another Joseph who died at birth. To support their large family, Noaines father earned a living as a laborer at Continental Motors in Muskegon, while her mother was busy at home, raising the children. Along with her siblings, Noaine grew up in Hart living in a small farmhouse on a large piece of land that they farmed for their own needs. Noaine attended school through the eighth grade, but then had to quit so she could help care for her younger brothers. It was obvious from a young age that Noaine was resourceful and had an independent nature. Equipped with these valuable traits, she left Hart shortly after her mom died. She then moved to Muskegon to live in her Grandmothers boarding house on 8th Street in Muskegon. She supported herself by working at Hansens Dairy Bar on Broadway Avenue, which was within walking distance of the boarding house. While working at the dairy bar, in the spring of 1956 Noaine met her future husband, Dick Critchett. They fell in love and were married the following spring of 1957. The newlyweds settled into married life together in Dicks childhood home. Times were tough and money was tight, so the couple set up their household in the basement of his parents home to save for a better future. Over the next several years, Dick and Noaine were blessed with four wonderful children: Christina, Deborah, Tamela and Richard. Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Noaine found ways help contribute to her familys income. This was no easy task with four children in tow. Noaine didnt have a drivers license at the time which made it a challenge to find work too far from home. For several seasons, she and her children would walk the two miles to pick blueberries at Paul Brothers Farms. Noaine was a valued picker, probably one of the fastest on the hot and dusty blueberry fields. The Critchetts took many opportunities to have family reunions and picnics and enjoy holiday festivities together. Dick, Noaine and the kids also enjoyed going to the Oceana County 4-H Fair each year, and doing some mushroom and walnut picking near Crystal Valley. In 1978, Noaines marriage to Dick ended. Once again, she moved back to her Grandmothers boarding house, which was then owned by her Aunt Maxine, with whom she was very close. Noaine took advantage of this fresh start in her life and decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Previously, she had returned to school and earned her high school diploma in 1974, so she then decided it was now time to become a college student. She attended classes at Muskegon Community College, and although she didnt complete her nursing degree, she worked in the healthcare field for many years as a Home Care Aide. In addition, Noaine volunteered countless hours at Hackley Hospital, where her dedication and compassion touched many lives. Beside her work, Noaine was also deeply committed to her church family at Calvary Church, where she was a member for over 20 years. She loved her Sunday school class and over the years developed close friendships within that group. She also enjoyed bringing her children and grandchildren to the productions the church put on during the holidays. Noaine had an early encounter with cancer. She fought this adversity like she did so many others: with great determination and strength. After winning that battle, she became even more conscious about her health and weight and took up walking regularly. She was firmly committed to her daily walks no matter what the weather and did so right up until she recently fell ill. Meeting commitments was important for Noaine; she was always prompt and on time for everything and never missed an activity or an appointment. Noaine kept herself busy, whether it was volunteering, spending time with her family or enjoying her hobbies of crocheting, knitting, embroidery, making clothes for her children or oil painting. She also kept her mind sharp by doing word puzzles as well as tried her hand at other creative projects. Noaine was an excellent cook and baker as well. She wasnt afraid to mix it up in the kitchen, giving her family something new to try. Not much of a traveler, she briefly lived in Chicago as a teenager with her Aunt Maxine and later she revisited Chicago to visit her son. She also made several trips to Indianapolis to visit her daughter and granddaughters. Throughout her life, Noaine considered her family a top priority. She adored her five grandchildren: Mindy, Wes, Aaron, Veronica and Dave, and was always in her glory in their presence or even talking about them. Noaine spent as much quality time with them as she could: taking them to parades, carnivals, going to movies, having lunch or enjoying the beach together. There wasnt a holiday or birthday that went by that Noaine didnt send her love and best wishes to her children and grandkids. She loved to embellish these correspondences with stickers, glitter and private notes. God gives gifts like peace, joy and special friends. Noaine was one of those very special friends she loved her family, her church and her Lord, faithfully serving in whatever ways she could. Noaine leaves cherished footprints on our hearts, and we will never be the same. Noaine Evelyn Critchett went home to be with her Lord on August 19, 2007. She is survived by her four children: Tina (John) Ramones, Debbie (Bob) Mazade, Tami (Dave) Smith and Rick Critchett; 5 grandchildren: Mindy, Wes, Aaron, Veronica and David; two great-grandchildren, Rachael and Camden; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Services for Noaine will be on Friday, August 24, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Church with Pastor Terry Fulk officiating. Friends and relatives may visit with Noaines family on Thursday, August 23, from 7-9 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home in Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hackley VNS Hospice. Please visit Noaines personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign the online guest book.