Beatrice D. Sibley, aged 79 years, died suddenly at home on Saturday, May 16, 2009.  She was the daughter of the late Douglas W. Sibley and Dorothy M. Sibley, who preceded her in death.  Her mother was a retired rural school teacher for Newaygo County Schools.

 

Surviving Beatrice is her sister, Dorothy A. Sibley.  Beatrice and Dorothy lived with their parents in Detroit, and were Detroit Public School teachers.  Beatrice taught kindergarten for 36 years and Dorothy taught elementary and middle school grades for 38 years.  After retiring, Bea and Dorothy built their new home on 80 acres near Newaygo.

 

Beatrice had many interests such as cooking, sewing, crafts, reading and she was an excellent pianist.  She belonged to the Michigan Botanical Club and was an officer on the White Pine Chapter MBC.  She was an officer in the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel.  She was very active in the Newaygo United Methodist Church in Sunday School and in the United Methodist Church Women.  Bea was a member and an officer of the national honor society for educators, Pi Lambda Theta.  Bea enjoyed traveling throughout the world, and stayed in 47 different countries during her lifetime.  Seeing the United States and Canada was always something she enjoyed while attending summer sessions in many universities in the U.S.A.

 

George and Pamela Cronk are her cousins who have helped her so much during the years.  Janet Montaya, Lysandra Montoya, Amanda Graham and Yesenia Montoya have been our private care-givers for Bea this last year, and have helped Bea during her illness.

 

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 11:00 am at the Newaygo United Methodist Church, with Rev. Patricia Bromberek officiating.  Visitation will be at the McKinley Funeral Home, Newaygo Chapel on Tuesday 2-4 & 7-9 pm.  There will also be visitation at the church the hour prior to the funeral service.  Memorials may be sent to the First Responders of Newaygo, who have come so many times to help Bea.