Genevieve Jeanette Newbill

Genevieve was the daughter of Frank and Dorothy Sibiga, Polish immigrants who were founding members of Dom Polski, Flint. She was born in Flint on July 7th, 1921. She graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1939 and the University of Michigan in 1943 with a degree in Architectural Design with a minor in Botany and later earned a Teaching Certificate. She married Robert W. Newbill (d. 2008) of Flint, MI in Phoenix, AZ on June 22nd,1943 as he was preparing for duty as a B-29 co-pilot in the Army Air Corp during WWII. Genevieve and Robert had nine children together.

She had many talents and interests. Painting was high on the list. The walls of her home were, and the homes of her children and friends are still, adorned with her work. Window signs for her husband’s grocery store, Foodlane, were painted by Genevieve weekly in the basement of their home advertising his “Specials of the Week”. She also was an expert seamstress making shirts, trousers, skirts, dresses, costumes and gorgeous quilts for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed helping other women in the neighborhood and parish learn to sew and made many friends that way. Reading was her passion and she instilled it in her children. Flint Public Library cards were obtained for all her children when they were old enough to get one. All were enrolled in the “Wide Awake Club” at the Flint Journal to foster their art and writing skills. She and Robert enjoyed their shared interest in reading with the “Great Books” organization. She frequently took her children to band and symphony concerts.

Community service was also an important part of her life. She sewed doll clothing for the Old News Boys and painted signs for St. Luke’s parish where she and Robert were charter members. She worked as a volunteer at Hurley Hospital with the women’s auxiliary. She also participated in recycling of newspapers and glass in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, long before it was popular. She had a big heart and donated to many Catholic and Indian charities that are too numerous to count.

Tennis was her and Robert’s sport. They were long time members of the Flint Tennis Club. They loved to “Play the Clay” at FTC where they made many good friends. When they could no longer play the game, they never wanted to miss a Thursday potluck to socialize with those friends and have a wonderful meal. They also were members of the Flint Swim and Racquet Club and Genesee Valley Tennis Club. Today they are “Serving ‘em up” together in heaven.

They also enjoyed dancing with a Flint dance club hosted at the University Club atop Genesee Towers. Playing duplicate bridge with friends was another of their favorite pass times.

Gen leaves behind all her children: Genia Hosh of Edison, NJ; Jon Newbill (Kris Ennis) of Durand, MI; Marion (James) Stickle of Sharonville, OH; Jeannie Nord of Flint; David (Mary Ann) Newbill of Ortonville, MI; Dorothy Robinson of Destin, FL; Lynn (Michael) Lorencz of Owendale, MI; Susan (James) Walker of Byron Center, MI and Christine (Stephen)Weldy of Granger, IN; as well as 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Reigle Funeral Home on Pierson Rd. from 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday. There will be visitation starting at 10:00 am with a funeral Mass to be celebrated Thursday July 7th at 11:00 am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Flint, MI; internment to follow at Flint Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center in Flint or St. John Vianney Parish, Flint.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ReigleFuneralHome.com for the Newbill family.