Cara Newton

A woman of many talents and interests, Cara Newton gave her all and then some. When she had her sights set on something, or a specific goal in mind, she went after it with her entire heart. And she did so selflessly, always giving freely to the task or endeavor at hand. She came to have a personal relationship with her Lord, and lived faithfully day by day, serving Him by helping others. Lives have been made richer for having known and loved Cara. Gone too soon, her heart lives on in the memories she leaves behind.

The hottest thing on wheels, the '55 Chevy found many Americans with their car radios tuned to the chartbusting hit from Bill Haley and the Comets’, “Rock Around the Clock”. At home, family television sets were dialed to “The Mickey Mouse Club”, and a favorite of young boys everywhere, Davy Crockett films introduced a world of adventure for those wearing his ever popular, coonskin cap. In the bustling riverfront city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 30, 1955 marked an especially memorable day for Paul and Cora (Worthington) Rea when they celebrated the birth of their baby girl, Cara Lynne.

Cara's father worked as the garage manager for the Kent County Road Commission while her mother remained at home with Cara and her five siblings, Tom, Mona, Jim, Linda, and Paula. Her mother, with four young children, became a widow when her first husband died in World War II. Cara's four older siblings were from her mother's previous marriage, yet to each of them, there was never a difference. Her own parents met and married shortly after he completed his military duty in the early 1950s.

From the beginning, Cara had as personality all her own. She enjoyed a typical childhood for the times and made many friends throughout the neighborhood and at school. She attended Rockford Public Schools and went on to graduate from Rockford High School with the Class of 1972. Furthering her education, she studied for two years at Davenport College of Business while pursuing a degree in business management.

With jobs here and there, Cara scrimped and saved, and at age 18 she purchased and moved into her very own trailer. Before long she was saving once again, eventually upgrading and moving into a larger trailer home. Her drive and tenacity for getting things done was remarkable for such a young woman. Never afraid of hard work, she simply did what needed to be done. In fact, she even attained a private pilot's license while in her twenties, and was one of the first woman to achieve flying an ultra light aircraft.

Some of the jobs Cara had in her earlier years included working as a bartender at Our Tavern, and as a Pharmacy Tech Assistant at Butterworth Hospital. Her career really took off when she landed a position with Meijer as an Assistant Buyer. Later, when a full-time job opened in advertising with the company, Cara's hard work and determination paid off when she was awarded the position. From 1978 until September of 2011, Cara was a loyal and dependable employee of Meijer. She enjoyed her work and the many friends she made there over the years.

Cara was driven and passionate about many things in life. As an adult, she came to know the Lord as her Savior, and was baptized in her twenties. With a heart of gold, she was burdened for others and served those who were disadvantaged.

In 1987, Cara met Wayne Newton while they both worked their second, "moonlighting” jobs. He came to be her lifelong companion, best friend, and soul mate. Oddly enough, both of their primary, fulltime jobs were with Meijer, yet they had never met. With Cara in advertising, and Wayne in photography, one would have thought their paths would have crossed long before. Fate brought their lives together while he was bartending and she was serving as a waitress at the same establishment. They began a dating relationship and after several years they pledged their love in marriage on June 2, 1990 at Servants Community Church just before her 35th birthday.

Cara and Wayne began attending Trinity Reformed Church shortly after getting married. While expecting their first child in 1991, they moved to their home on Widdicomb where they spent the rest of their days together. Two weeks after moving in, they welcomed the birth of their son, Brandon. Life changed dramatically for Cara upon becoming a mother, and she never realized her heart could hold so much love. She was equally blessed when their second son, Eric came along in 1993.

Along with Wayne, Cara was very active with her son's Boy Scout troops and even served as a Scout Mom. Together they attended many Scout Rendezvous’ over the years with their boys. Cara was especially involved in her son's many activities. She went on their class trips, and as a family they enjoyed camping and traveling to Gulf Shores, Alabama, Florida, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Cara always made herself available to the many youth who passed her way. Whether they needed a meal or an ear to listen, she had a way of giving comfort, and offered hope to them. She was very active at Trinity throughout the years, serving as a Deacon, youth group leader, and volunteered at their church sponsored resale shop, The Lord’s Bounty, and for 17 years served as a Community Kitchen team leader. Cara also gave of her time working for The Other Way Ministries, Heartside Ministries, and helping cook and serve meals at Degage Ministries. Ever faithful to her Lord, she found joy in serving others and was thankful for the opportunities to do so.

Although Cara didn't play any musical instruments, she have a lovely singing voice. For the last 30 years, she and several of her girlfriends attended the Wheatland Music Festival each year all while making fond memories. She loved gospel, rock, and bluegrass music. Just as diverse in the many ways she gave freely of herself, so too were her many and varied interests. She collected Longaberger baskets, loved candles, and enjoyed reupholstering old furniture and working with stained glass. She loved times spent camping with family and friends, and especially loved taking in the beauty of Lake Michigan. As their boys grew, she and Wayne enjoyed several trips to Mexico.

Cara began having health issues and in early October last year her doctor ordered hospital tests to be administered. When the results came back, Cara was diagnosed with colon cancer. Not wasting any time, she underwent surgery on October 7, and two weeks later she had her gall bladder removed. She never regained her strength before beginning chemotherapy, and it took a great toll on her. She remained strong in faith, and leaned on God's promises. After a courageous battle with cancer, Cara sadly died at the age of 56 on Monday, June 18, 2012.

The heart of Cara Newton was all giving. She gave unconditionally to the needs of others, and held fast to her faith in all ways. Devoted and dedicated to her family, she leaves countless memories which will be forever treasured.

Cara was preceded in death by her parents, Cora and Paul Rea. She is survived by her husband, Wayne; sons: Brandon Michael and Eric Charles Newton; brothers and sisters: Tom Maynard of Texas, Mona Dreyer of Wyoming, Michigan, Jim (Betty) Maynard of Dorr, Michigan, Linda (Roland) Agruela of Texas, Paula (Ron) Dill of Elkhart, Indiana; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial services for Cara will be held Saturday, June 23, 2012, 2:00 PM at Trinity Reformed Church, 1224 Davis NW with visitation at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Memorial contributions to the Trinity Reformed Church Youth Group Fund, 1224 Davis NW, 49504 or to the Pilgrim Manor Benevolent Fund, 2000 Leonard NE, 49505. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory and photo of Cara and to sign her online guest book.