Sarah N. Bottrell
Monday, February 28, 2011 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm
Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home, 926 N. Third Street, Marquette, MI 49855
Services:
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 11:00 am. (Visitation at church begins at 10:00 am until time of service)
First United Methodist Church, 111 E. Ridge Street, Marquette, Michigan 49855
MARQUETTE – Sarah N. Bottrell, age 106, of 1240 N. Third Street, Marquette, entered eternal life on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Sarah was born October 22, 1904 in Ishpeming, the daughter of proud Cornish born parents Richard and Catherine (Jones) Bottrell. In a Proclamation by Mayor John Kivela and the Marquette City Commission on October 12, 2010, recognizing Sarah’s community service, it was stated that “she was an amazing and active person who has lived through and experienced most of the significant events of the last century including: World War I and II from the Upper Peninsula home-front, the Great Depression, and the influenza epidemic that killed over 675,000 people in America.” Furthermore, the proclamation went on to state that Sarah has been “an active person in the Marquette Community: retired teacher of Marquette Senior High School, registered voter of the City of Marquette residing at the same residence since 1923, and continues to be an active member of the First United Methodist Church Choir (last performing with the choir on September 19, 2010). Sarah has been honored as the Parade Marshall for the Fourth of July Parade recognizing her 100th birthday.” The proclamation ended by calling upon the people of the City of Marquette to observe the week of October 22, 2010 as a celebration of Sarah N. Bottrell’s 106th birthday.” In honor of her 106th birthday, Northern Michigan University’s History Department honored her with a birthday party where she was presented with a letter from President Barack Obama and the First Lady, a letter from U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, and a commendation from Gov. Jennifer Granholm, presented by state Rep. Steve Lindberg. Sarah was a 1922 Graduate of Ishpeming High School and following graduation enrolled at Northern Normal graduating in 1924 receiving her teaching certificate. In 1925 Sarah was a teacher in the Newberry Public Schools teaching for 27 years and then in the Marquette Public Schools for 16 years until her retirement in 1970. Many of her students remember her as a teacher infused with old fashioned values who could teach well and who brooked no nonsense in the classroom. She knew US History and taught it with passion and purpose. She had a love of learning and desired to give that gift to all her students. She was actively involved in her membership at the First United Methodist Church, belonging to the United Methodist Women, History and Records Committee and singing in the sanctuary choir and former gospel choirs. Sarah was also a life member of the Marquette History Museum, Alpha XI Delta Sorority, and belonging and donating to many local charities. She loved music, sewing, traveling, and being a part of the Marquette scene. She was known for the beautiful flowers in front of her house. Survivors include her special friends, Patti and Rudy Jensen, Carole and Zane Bard, Nancy and George Pennell, Helga McDonell, Scot Uren, Mary Owen, Donna and Don Mattson, Jayne and Bill Brady and granddaughter Natalie Kivi, Ruth and Linda Matthews, Nora Holman, Leonard Barbeau, her church family and many, many more. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents and twin siblings, Harry and Thomas Bottrell. Once asked the secret to her longevity, she credited her good health, in part, to moderate living and never drinking alcohol or smoking also commenting “I don't know what all the fuss is about”. A passionate teacher with old fashioned values, a view for her tomorrows, who loved history, taught it, and lived it, who earned the respect and affection of her students, sought the best in others, and left the world a better place…all this, a life well lived. Sarah’s life can still teach us much. Friends may call at the Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home on Monday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm and on Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Funeral Services celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 am with Rev. Steve McCoy officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall. Burial will be made in the Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 111 E. Ridge Street, Marquette, MI 49855. The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, where condolences may be expressed online at www.swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com
CONDOLENCES
Im soo glad that I got to know Sarah. My grandparents Bill and Jayne Brady express their condolences, along with myself. But we our very glad that she's not in anymore pain and with the Lord! We all will miss her smile! Her friend Natalie Kivi - 02.24.2011
From natalie kivi - Flag as inappropriateMay Miss Bottrell rest in eternal peace. Even though I didn't have her for a teacher, I remember hew kindness to her students and her passion for teaching. I also recall her bright smile and energenic pace. - 02.24.2011
From Chuck Langlois - Flag as inappropriateI have had the honor to know Sarah Bottrell. She was a Social Studies major and thus directly linked to the History Department at Northern Michigan University. We were thrilled to celebrate her birthdays for the last half dozen years. Everyone from President Les Wong to the History faculty and students were amazed at her historical recall and stories about Northern in the 1920s. It was an experience never to be forgotten by all who interacted with Sarah. She was proud of her Cornish heritage and she was published in the book, Cornish in Michigan. Knowing Sarah was an experience of a life-time. God bless Sarah and our prayers thoughts are with her friends. Dr. Russell Magnaghi Head, History Department - 02.24.2011
From Russell M. Magnaghi - Flag as inappropriateI first met Miss Bottrell when she was my history teacher at Graveraet High School. She instilled the love of learning history into her students. Yes, she was stern, but also kind at the same time. In 1969, I roomed with her on my brother's class trip to NY. Chaperoning with her and watching out for my brother--that was an incredible journey! Throughout the years since her retirement, I would see her on her front porch and when I could, I'd stop by and chat with her. I attended her 100-year birthday party and watched her dance with her "girls" from the sorority at NMU. I was humbled to be chosen as her driver in the Fourth of July parade in 2004 when our class had their 40th-year reunion and she was our honored teacher. That was a very precious time for me. She always spoke kindly of my younger brother who, she said, was so handsome and tall and died much too soon. Yes, there are hundreds of beautiful memories of her that will live on forever. She was a wonderful person and I will miss not seeing her TV on when I pass by her home on Third Street! God bless this incredible lady! Judy (Luoma) Donckers - 02.25.2011
From Judy Luoma Donckers - Flag as inappropriateMiss Bottrell was one of my favorite teachers at Graveraet. She always demanded excellence from her students and yet she did it with a twinkle in her eye. I had the privilege of singing with her in the Methodist Church Choir before heading off to college and I always will remember my time with her as a mentor. Last year I stopped by her home on Third Street, as I had on many occasions when home on vacation. She not only remembered me, but brought up many memories of my time in School. She was truly a gem and will never be forgotten. May God bless you Miss Bottrell. - 02.25.2011
From Stephen Nyquist - Flag as inappropriateMiss Bottrell was a peach of a lady. I lived in her neighborhood growing up. She was always interesting and kind to talk with. Remembered her pleasing way as a student in the Marquette Public School District. - 02.25.2011
From Linda Swanson Luczak - Flag as inappropriateRest in peace Miss Bottrell. Thoughout your lifetime you have taught us a lot, in and outside of the classroom about history, honoring your background and about life. Some of us have kept up with Sarah via long distance and know what a strong ladey she was. Blessings to all of you who were able to help her in her later years. - 02.25.2011
From Bev Barrett Waddell - Flag as inappropriateI first remember Sarah when my parents Jayne and Bill Brady got married in 1959. We sang in the youth choir and she was the wonderful little lady in the front row of the adult choir. Through the years I got to know her well and often went to lunch with her and my parents at least once a month, She had a wonderful memory. A medical survey would call her once in a while and ask her questions; My favorite one was when they asked her if she could name the last ten Presidents of the United States. And she said "Republicans or Democrates?". I'm also happy my daughter Natalie was with her in her final days. She was a wonderful and inspiring woman! - 02.25.2011
From Patty Nord Girard - Flag as inappropriateFor many years, going to Marquette for a visit meant seeing Sarah. She will be missed. - 02.26.2011
From Sue Fink - Flag as inappropriateAlways remembered her as such a kind and interesting person. I had her for history which was one of my favorites. A true assest to the community of Marquette. - 02.27.2011
From Karen Swanson Maki - Flag as inappropriateMay Ms. Bottrell rest in eternal peace. She was my homeroom teacher at MSHS. As I look back, being older and wiser, she was a wonderful teacher and a nice kind woman. She left her mark in this world, instilled in so many of her students. I remember always seeing her sitting out on her porch, reading. God Bless Her and take care of her. - 02.27.2011
From Tom Cuff - Flag as inappropriateI grew up in Marquette,just a few blocks on Third Street from where Sarah Botrell lived. Many were the times that I would visit with her as she rocked on her porch swing. Just a few years ago we looked over a scrap book of Northern's Delta Sigma Nu Soroity (the name before it went "national"). I was amazed at her recall of her sorority sisters and the activies of her days at Northern. Marquette has lost a gem. - 02.28.2011
From Sara Roberts Osborn - Flag as inappropriate.......I get a smile remembering college days, walking home from N.M.U. and seeing her rocking on her porch swing or tending to her beautiful flowers! - 03.01.2011
From Teresa - Flag as inappropriateSarah Bottrell was my American history teacher at Marquette Senior High School during the mid-1960's. She had very patriotic ideals and made our history come alive especially during the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. During the turbulent period of civil rights unrest in the South during the year we were taking her class, Miss Bottrell made a point of teaching us to take an enlightened attitude towards racial issues. In that respect, she was not just old-fashioned, but actually ahead of the times. In the past couple of decades Sarah was a dependable guest attending all the birthday and anniversary parties that our family held for our parents. After our Dad passed away, she became a regular friend of my Mom and sister's, participating in many nice social occasions with them and other friends. Since my Mom is 86 now, Sarah has been an amazing role model for healthy living at an advanced age, so this has given my Mom a lot of encouragement. I have to give a lot of credit to Sarah, she was a definitely a survivor. Thanks for everthing Sarah! Claire Matthews Reitter. - 03.05.2011
From Claire Matthews Reitter (class of 1966) - Flag as inappropriate