Aunt Norene will always be remembered. Even after my dad, her brother passed away, I would call and speak with her. She was always pleased to hear what was happening. I remember when aunt Laura and aunt Norene were in Cheboygan at aunt Vera's house for Christmas, and aunt Laura had a unique record player that records could be recorded on. Jim and I sang Christmas songs at that time while everyone listened. We had a great time.

My mother, Norene Sleight, had the good fortune to have been born in Burt Lake (Tuscarora Township, Cheboygan County), Michigan with the name Frances Norene Rotter.  My father, Harlon Sheldon Foote (1924 – 1950), called this place “God's country”.  Norene's mother, Clara Hemmes, spoke only Dutch until she was four years old and lived in the Holland (Ottawa and Allegan Counties), Michigan area.  Clara's parents were immigrants from The Netherlands.  Unfortunately, Clara's parents died.  Clara was taken to an English-speaking orphanage in Coldwater (Branch County), Michigan.  A family living in Burt Lake adopted her.  Clara's adopted family name has appeared in documents spelled as Dice or Dyce.  Clara was devoutly religious and knew from experience the importance of a strong family.  My mother, too, became devoutly religious.
 In spite of the hardships of experiencing the Great Depression of 1929 and of World War II, my mother went by herself on a bus to Lansing (Ingham County), Michigan to find a job.  In Lansing, she met my father, a devout Christian.  My brother and I were born in Lansing: Paul (1946) and Philip (1947).  My father changed his work to become a State Farm insurance agent in Perry (Shiawassee County), Michigan.  My parents enjoyed attending church services at Perry Baptist Church.
On May 21, 1950, my mother's happiness and dreams became shattered when one of my father's policyholders telephoned early on that Sunday morning.  In those days, our crank telephone hung on a wall.  My father jumped out of bed quickly so that we would not be disturbed.  My father was unable to complete the telephone conversation.  He staggered back to his bed.  After a doctor arrived, the doctor attempted to inject my father in his neck.  I learned later that my father had contracted rheumatic fever in high school.  Before penicillin became available, rheumatic fever could become rheumatic heart disease and damage the heart and its valves.  After my father was taken away, my mother still took time from her grieving to give me a birthday cake the next day for my fourth birthday.  My Aunt Mary (Rotter) Shaffer, Uncle Howard Shaffer, and my cousins Donald Shaffer and Marjorie (Shaffer) Hoag, took my brother and me into their home in Lansing briefly so that my mother could arrange for my father's funeral.
At the funeral, my brother and I attempted to understand what was happening.  I said to my younger brother:  “Our father's friends are here.  Why doesn't our father awaken to speak with his friends?”  Then, we went to Glendale Cemetery, Okemos (Ingham County).  When some men lowered my father's casket into the ground, I said to my brother:  “How will our father get out of there?”
My mother found a job in Lansing.  Her sister, Laura Rotter, moved to Lansing, found a job, and lived with us for a few years.
Years later, when I was a college student, my mother had a second chance for happiness when she married Rolan Sleight, a district manager for State Farm insurance, and lived in Saint Johns (Clinton County), Michigan.  Unfortunately, Rolan died after a few years.  My mother moved to DeWitt (Clinton County) to live alone for many years.
Approximately eight years ago, my mother fell.  After a brief stay in Sparrow Hospital, she was taken to a nursing home, Whitehills Health Care, in East Lansing (Ingham County), Michigan.  Her injuries required her to use a walker and later a wheelchair.  Over time, her pain increased.  A week ago, pneumonia added to her health problems.
In spite of the incredible hardships and of pain and suffering, my mother remained devoutly religious.  Even in her last days, she would say to me:  “The Lord is watching over me.”

Aunt Norene, my mother's youngest sister,  has passed on to her new life in Glory.  She was the last of the 5 siblings to go.  She will be missed by those of us who knew and loved her, but we celebrate her life and will remember her fondly.

You lived a dutiful and loving life in service to your family despite great hardships. May you now rest in peace with Our Lord.

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12.
Who is my mother?  As a young lady, she traveled by herself, from the home which she grew up in.  From Burt Lake, Mi. to Lansing, Mi. to find employment and she also found a husband.  My father passed away when my brother was four years old and I was only three.  She now had two boys to raise by herself.  Aunt Laura came to help, for several years.  Mom eventuality raised her boys and made sure that they received a good education.  Mom was a Christian lady, who raised her boys with regular church attendance.  I thank God for my Mother who accomplished so much on her own.  Yes I honor you.

Reni, was the sweetest neighbor we ever had.  She watched for us to come home and then she always brought us a little ziplock baggie of snacks.   I remember helping her son clean/sort out her apartment before she went into the nursing home.  She kept everything!  Every piece of mail, every baggie, every newspaper.  She was a remarkable women.  Renie will be missed.  Deb & Jenna Jaquette- Dewitt.

OBITUARIO

F. Norene Sleight

17 febrero, 1923 – 27 octubre, 2014

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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