Virginia Newell

Here we see Bob and Roxanne Newell, and in the center, Bob's mother, Virginia Newell, who radiates good health at the age of 88.

My memories of Virginia go back to 1948-52, when she was our Cub Scout den mother. Bob recalls that she was a super athlete as a swimmer, golfer, and tennis player. When he was a kid, she got picked before him in neighborhood basketball games. (Probably she was taller?)

Until a few years ago she participated in Senior Olympics and rode a bike up to the age of 82. Now she goes to swim therapy, slowed only a little since knee and hip replacement.

At an early age Virginia lost her mother and step-mother, so she was raised by men and in turn raised a husband and two sons. In the mid-1960s, she and Bob Newell moved from Springfield to Rockford, where he passed away in 1995. She still lives in Rockford among many friends and is a loyal fan of the Cubs, Bears, and Big Ten sports teams.

She remembers Bob's classmates well and enjoys hearing from them, so please drop her a line at ginnew@aol.com.

Thanks to Bob Newell for the picture and his memories.