Beth Arlene Day
May 10, 1934 – February 25, 2024

Beth Arlene Day (Suzi), 89, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

Born on May 10, 1934 in Newberry Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Bernard McTiver and Dean (Sandison) McTiver.  Beth was a Registered Nurse in Neurology at Southwest Community Hospital in Fort Myers and an LPN in the Emergency Department of Pontiac General Hospital in Michigan.

Beth is preceded in death by her husband Ernest (Ernie).

Beloved and cherished mother to Jon C. Day of New Hudson, MI , Jacalyn McClure (Michael) of Commerce Township, MI, Terry J. Eckert of Syracuse, NY,  Amy L. Foster of Fort Myers, Suzanne E. McTiver of Moorhead, MN; Loving grandmother to Stephanie Dennis (Allen), Jessica Day, Kenneth McClure (Jennifer), Nathan McClure (Heather), Jeffrey Eckert (Samatha), Gretchen Foster, Zachary Stenerson (Ashley) and Nick Stenerson (Lenaya Kerlin) and nine great grandchildren.

Beth was a very caring and kind person to everyone.  She was so giving and generous, and listened attentively without judgement. As Beth was the last remaining sibling of her family, Beth was involved in the day to day life of many nieces and nephews. She was attuned to what was going on in their lives, and was not afraid to address the hard questions. Beth had a variety of interests.  She loved driving her car, travelling, playing cards and games, reading, theater and baking. Beth Was a Modern Mom. She was an early adapter to technology with her Apple Ipad and watch, and had a cell phone before most of her children.  Beth was a wiz at Words with Friends, and feared by competitors. Dogs have always been a part of her life.  She enjoyed their companionship dearly. Barney will miss her loving care.

Beth was an active longtime member of Buckingham Presbyterian Church.  She was an elder, sat on committees, attended the Wednesday Bible Study faithfully,  and made delicious pies for the Friday Fish Fries. She was dedicated to serving the church and community.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Buckingham Presbyterian Church in Fort Myers with Pastor Tim Stewart officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Buckingham Presbyterian Church in memory of Beth A. Day.

Condolences may be expressed at www.NationalCremation.com

 

Jeanne E. Thompson
March 14, 1940 – February 24, 2024

Jeanne Emily (Jarvie) Thompson, age 83, of Newberry, Michigan, died on February 24, 2024, at EUP Hospice House of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She was born on March 14, 1940, in Sault Ste. Marie, to Silho Weikko and Lempi Aleene (Oja) Jarvie.

Jeanne grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and graduated from Sault High School in 1958. After high school she attended Northeastern School of Commerce in Bay City, Michigan, completing the secretarial course. Upon graduation she returned to Sault Ste. Marie and began working at Coates & Klein Law Firm. In September 1961, she married Richard Haapala, and had two daughters, Heather, and Erika. The family enjoyed many summers at the Haapala Cottage in Cedarville, Michigan and many get togethers’with dear friends, that including Virginia (Toots) & Don Golanka.

In 1980, Jeanne began her career at Lake Superior State University Norris Center where she worked in the Recreation/Exercise Science Department and eventually retired from the Criminal Justice & Fire Science Department. Through her years there she had many work study students who thought of her as their second Mom.

Jeanne was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church where she sang in the Choir for many years.

In 1988, on advice from friends Jack and Ruth Truckey, Jeanne was set up on a blind date that would change everything. Jeanne and Jim Thompson, from Newberry, went on a blind date that was the beginning of a beautiful life together. Jeanne and Jim married in 1991, in Gulf Shores, Alabama blending their families. Jeanne and Jim enjoyed spending time at the hunting camp, traveling, golfing, doing crafts together, and entertaining with friends. When Jim’s health started to decline, Jeanne was an excellent care giver to Jim, keeping him home as long as she possibly could.

Jeanne was also an avid reader and crafty. In the early years she sewed all her daughters’ clothes and items for her twin niece and nephew Erin (Haapala) Pearson and Andy Haapala. She enjoyed knitting and would often knit hats to donate to local charities. But golfing was by far her favorite activity. She could be seen on the Newberry Country Club course 5-6 times a week with her golf partners, Mary Saunders, Scotty Bronz, and Laverne Haggar, right up through the fall of 2023.  Her clubs were always in the trunk of her car because you never know when someone would want to play.

Jeanne loved her many lunch and shopping trips with her dear friends Scotty, and Laverne. She will be dearly missed by her many friends and Jarvie cousins. She was the kind of person who, when you mentioned to others, would elicit expressions of love and admiration from those who knew her best and anyone who was to cross her path.

Jeanne is survived by her daughters, Heather Haapala of Sault Ste. Marie and Erika (Dan) Frechette of Naples, Florida; grandchild, Ryan Morley of Brimley, Michigan; seven step children, Stephen Thompson of Tennessee, Becky (Fred) Russo of Michigan, Pattie (Mark) Izmond of Michigan, Scott (Shelley) Thompson of Illinois, Cindy Thompson of Washington, Kevin (Dee) Thompson of California and Karen (Ivan Fende) Thompson of Michigan; thirteen Thompson grandchildren that she adored; special niece and Goddaughter, Laurie (Sedestrom) Krell of Michigan; special nephew, Matthew Gray of South Carolin; nieces and nephews, Erin (Haapala) Pearson of Florida, Andy Haapala of Michigan, Sue (Gray) Rothermel of North Carolina and Marty (Sedestrom) Guthrie of Virgina.

Jeanne is preceded in death by her husband, James Thompson; parents, Silho and Lempi Jarvie; sister, Mary; brother-in-law, Don Gray; son-in-law, Michael MacInnis; nephew, Rob Gray and her beloved dog Sarah.

Celebration of Life will be in the Spring of 2024.

Memorials may be left to the Hospice of the E.U.P, 308 W. 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783.

Family Life Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.