Wilhelmina "BJ" J. Newmier

Born on June 12,1945 in Harrison County , Missouri, she was the daughter of the late Dr. James and Dorothy Hyer. Cursed by her mother with the family name of Wilhelmina, she was known in childhood as Billie Jo and later, as an adult as BJ. She spent her early years in the smalltown of Blythedale, MO where her father worked off his Depression era medical school debt as the town physician. At a young age, the family relocated to Point Pleasant Beach, NJ where she had an idyllic childhood. She graduated from Point Pleasant Beach High School in 1963, where she was a cheerleader before embarking on her lifelong career as an Administrative Assistant. She was an administrative assistant at Bell Laboratories, where she met her husband Paul Newmier. She and Paul remained married until divorcing in 1999, but remained good friends until her death. Her son, Gene, was born in 1967. The family moved to Lincroft, NJ where she worked in the Middletown Public School System. In 1976, BJ and her family moved to Orleans.

She then embarked on a 33 year career in the Nauset Regional school system, first in the business office. As her son moved into Middle School, she became the Administrative Assistant to the Principal. She kept the school organized and knew about things her son did, often before he was aware that he had done them. After 19 years at the Middle School, she moved over to the Central Office where she spent the last 14 years as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Nauset schools before retiring in 2009. In addition to her duties for the school, she was the Director of Adult and Community Education from 1981-1996.

Prior to and after retirement, BJ enjoyed playing and watching tennis and had a passion for Nauset Beach and spent countless hours there. She especially enjoyed going to New Hampshire with her tennis pals and her annual trip to Provincetown with close friends for the Christmas holiday. Once her health prevented her from hitting the beach, she enjoyed watching the birds in her yard from her front porch (especially the orioles and hummingbirds), discovered a love of reading, doing her daily puzzles and cuddling with her beloved dog, Babe as well as visiting with family and friends. BJ loved a good laugh and glass of wine. There was nothing she liked better than laughing and reminiscing with family and friends. She had a wide group of friends and family who will miss her dearly.

Even though BJ only had one biological child, she shared her heart with a couple of special people. She had an extremely close relationship with her niece, Melissa Hyer-Mitchell , with whom she shared her home for the last 3 years. In addition, she had a special “second” son in Sid Smith of Brewster. She reveled in the adventures and accomplishments of her grandsons, Sam and Josh, and took great pride in her son and niece.

Besides her parents, BJ was preceded in death by her sisters, Georgia Hyer and Mary Hyer as well as an older brother Frank, who died in infancy. She is survived by her son, Dr. Eugene ( Joanne) Newmier of Trappe, MD, her niece, Melissa Hyer-Mitchell ( John) of Orleans, 2 grandchildren: Samuel Newmier ( fiance Annika) of Nashville, TN and Joshua Newmier of Baton Rouge, LA. She is also survived by her “second” son Sidney Smith (Nancy) of Brewster and his family. She was most thrilled to meet her “great grandson” George this summer.

BJ’s arrangements are in the care of Nickerson Funeral Home of Orleans. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff of Cape Cod Hospital who provided excellent, compassionate care to her during her final illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Animal Rescue League of Boston.