Obituaries

Holly Joyce (Newell) Owen, of Drummond Island, Michigan, died June 20, 2023, at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace, Michigan. She was born October 17, 1946, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Thomas J. and Edna Joyce (Seaman)Newell.

Holly grew up on Drummond Island, graduating from DeTour High School in 1964. She earned her teaching degree from Michigan State University in 1968. Immediately after graduating, she worked at a bookstore in Lansing, Michigan. In 1971, she began teaching first grade at Port Austin elementary school, which merged with North Huron School in 1979. Holly taught there until her retirement in 2002. She was also an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa-Honorary Teacher’s Sorority.

While living in the Caseville, Michigan area, Holly hosted many of her nieces and nephews during summer vacation from school. When asked about their memories of these vacation get-aways, all the kids mentioned beach swimming in Lake Huron, excursions to Grindstone City, ice cream shops, putt-putt golf, playing Skip-Bo, going to auctions, (where one child bought a horse hide as her mother wouldn’t allow a real horse), the big water slide and horseback riding. One time the horse Holly was riding jolted, and the horse ran with Holly screaming and bouncing from side to side while the kids were in stitches laughing. Another niece recalls she ‘forgot’ her toothbrush every year because Holly had a drawer full of new colorful ones. Another favorite Aunt Holly memory is the birthday cards she would send every year, always on time and with a gift of money corresponding to the age of the child. She had continued that tradition with the great nieces and nephews as well.

Holly married Scott Owen on June 20, 1990, in Bad Axe, Michigan. They continued living in Caseville, raising their daughter, Nicole. Some of Nicole's cherished memories of Holly include family trips to Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, and Disney World, looking for shells at the beach, reading books before bed each night, notes in the mail, and especially, their chats, “she really listened and cared, and it showed in everything she did in life, such a big heart.” After retirement, Holly and Scott moved back to Drummond Island, where they enjoyed spending time with family, feeding the wildlife (not the bears though), riding the back roads, and boating when possible.

Holly was an avid reader and a regular visitor at the Drummond Island Library. For years, Holly took many excursions to sporting events, shopping, eating out, as well as antiquing with her ‘sidekick sister’ Mary, Nicole, and various sisters-in-law and nieces. A good time was had by all, always!

Holly is survived by her husband, Scott; daughter, Nicole (Jared) DiClementi; granddaughter, baby DiClementi, due in August, all of Harrison Township, Michigan; her brothers, Bob (Janice) Newell, Danny Newell, and Jerry (Becky) Newell, all of Drummond Island; brother-in-law, Ted (Linda) Owen, of Ortonville, Michigan; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a great-great nephew.

Holly was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Edna; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Linford and Rosann Owen; sister, Mary Newell Jacques; brother-in-law, Ed Jacques; and brother, Thomas Newell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions could be made to the Drummond Island Ambulance Corps, (checks made to DIAC-Cares), P.O. Box 225 Drummond Island, MI 49726; the Drummond Island Library (checks made to Superior District Library, memo DI Library), P.O. Box 202 Drummond Island, MI 49726; the Mackinac Straits Hospital Oncology Clinic, 1140 N. State St, St. Ignace, MI 49781; or a charity of your choice.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on July 10, 2023, at the Drummond Island Lighthouse Church, with visitations at 11:00 AM and a Memorial service at 12:00 Noon. There will be a luncheon following the service at the Drummond Township Hall.

Interment will be at the Drummond Cemetery at a later date.

Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation of Pickford, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.