Madelon Newcomb

Madelon Kay Newcomb, age 76 years of Niles, Michigan; mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and devout Catholic died unexpectedly but peacefully on Friday, February 9, 2024 at her home.

She was born on September 24, 1947 in Niles to H. Foster and F. Kathleen (McMahon) Brandon, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1965.  She continued her education at Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo), earning a Bachelor of Art degree in Secondary Education English and Art.  She was employed for many years as a substitute English teacher at area schools through the Berrien RESA (Regional Education Service Agency), but her most important vocation was at-home, caring for her own children.  She was employed for several years at the Meijer store in Grand Rapids, and the new Meijer’s in Mishawaka, Indiana.  Later in life, she found herself being the caregiver for her elderly mother.

Madelon was an active member of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Niles.  As a young woman she went camping with her family, was a proficient seamstress, and enjoyed drawing.  While living up-north on Michigan’s west coast, she was employed as the news reporter for a local radio station.  She always enjoyed music, and found herself – in the 60’s – becoming socially aware and progressive.  Later in life she enjoyed the creative art of pottery and enjoying the game of Scrabble – not surprising for an English teacher with a minor in art.

She was first married to Barry Miller while he was in the military service.  In 2001 she married Paul Roy Newcomb, PhD, with whom she celebrated (19 or 20) years of marriage prior to his death on April 19, 2021.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Foster Brandon in 1998, and Kathleen Brandon in 2009

Surviving family includes her children, Nichole Miller, PhD of Pentwater, Michigan and Alyssa Miller, RN of Grand Rapids, Michigan; a grandson, Sebastian Miller; Paul’s children, Iris Newcomb, Joshua Newcomb, and Tatalia Newcomb, and two grandchildren; Madelon’s siblings, Jeff (& Vala) Brandon of Niles, Maureen (& Peter) McMahon of Wellington, Victoria in Australia, and John Brandon of Williamston, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Madelon Newcomb will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 19, 2024 at Saint Mary Catholic Church, 203 South Lincoln Avenue in Niles by the Rev. Christian Johnston of the parish.   Committal Rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Madelon may be made to Saint Mary’s Parish, 219 South State Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120, https://stmarysniles.org/.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles  Online condolences and memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Madelon loved life, overcame a few hardships, and enjoyed music, literature, and art.  But more important was enjoying the people in her life, students, her radio audience, and most of all, her family; all evidence of following our command to love God and love people.