For 85 years, Dorothy Johnson Newell graced this world with her spunk, her joy, and her willingness to give love, prayers and smiles to any and all persons. She believed in her God, her family - and that the world would be a better place if everyone had a front porch.

She was born on June 19, 1938, in Belvidere, Il to Carl and Eleanor (Markison) Johnson. Her brother, James/ Jimmy /J.J. Johnson joined soon thereafter, and her family and her heart got a little bigger. She grew up in Belvidere and met people that would stay in her life for all of her days. Together with Rita Kay Duffy, her dearest of friends for 81 years and from the age of 4, she grew up playing with paper dolls, running after the ice truck in the summertime, playing at the park and living the kind of childhood that is only heard about today. The kids in her Belvidere High School class of 1956 meant the world to her and their cards and prayers brought smiles to her face and memories to her heart, especially during this last year.

When Dorothy graduated from BHS, she attended ISU Normal with the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher. She thoroughly loved her studies, which fueled her belief in education for all, yet financial obligations prevented her from completing her degree. She returned to Belvidere and began working as the only woman at the field office of the telephone company. It was there that she met this tall, handsome young man that came in every Friday from this small town "down south" called Ashland. Dorothy noticed that Don Newell was somewhat shy but he had an easy smile and made her laugh… and, later she admitted, she also noticed his red and white 1957 Mercury with a Continental kit! Don and Dorothy committed to forever on June 20th, 1959.

Dorothy would move to that small town "down south" and Ashland became her adopted hometown. It was there that she would plant seeds of both flowers and of hope and there that she would raise her children. She and Don welcomed 3 children to their home, Dawn (husband Dan), Diane and David (wife Lesley). Her children were raised to be bold, to be kind, to care deeply, to not take themselves too seriously and to both love and respect the land. She eagerly took on the role of being a farm wife and was always on call to run and "get a part", bring lunch to the field, watch the skies for threatening weather, and appreciate the beauty of a straight row of corn! She was grateful to serve God as a farmer's wife and mother and the beauty of a lifetime of sunsets was her reward.

Dorothy was also the first to volunteer to drive her kids and their friends to ballgames or speech contests or take a van full to Six Flags. She built a home where doors were not locked and where all were welcomed at her kitchen table or on her front porch!

Throughout her married life, Dorothy loved playing cards… whether it was couples' pinochle or learning bridge, to playing duplicate. ..Dorothy was all in! She would tease about her winnings saying that she would "win big" on an afternoon, meaning she brought home 2 quarters! These opportunities to sit and visit, to care, console, laugh and love brought her great joy and some of the deepest of friendships. And while she would never turn down a chance to play – if she simply had a chance to visit and to share a cup of coffee…that was all she needed to make her heart smile.

Life continued to happen and in the blink of an eye… Dorothy became a Grandma! And amazingly, those children of hers, who, like all children, needed to be disciplined and given boundaries – gave birth to… absolute angels, whose feet did not hit the ground if Grandma was around! Jonathan Patrick Newell, Catherine Newell Coghlan, Sarah Ellen Newell and William Patrick Coghlan lit up Dorothy's world in ways she had never dreamed possible. "Camp Grandma" became an annual adventure for these four children and memories were made that were captured on their own, personal disposable cameras! Dorothy became the ever-present, team-color- wearing, snack-bringing supporter of basketball, softball, soccer and football games – and she treasured every moment. Dorothy returned to her desire to be involved in education and helping little people explore the world by volunteering in the kindergarten classes at both Ashland Elementary and at Our Savior's Catholic School for approximately 15 years. She loved nothing better than having children learning to read - read to her! The joy that she felt with her little friends at school and their accomplishments was evident in her eyes as they danced! And - if being a Grandma made her beam, welcoming Logan Thomas Newell, Jonathan's son was the icing on the cake! Logan's name for Dorothy was "Bubbles", which everyone agreed was the absolute perfect name and that he saw the true Dorothy! Dorothy welcomed Jonathan and his wife Ali's son, Cole James, in July of this year as her second great grandchild.

Around this same time that she began having grandchildren, Dorothy decided that she'd better start taking better care of herself if she was going to continue to enjoy them… and out came her bicycle! Dorothy started out riding around Ashland, in her VERY visible fluorescent yellow biking jacket. And then came the socks… the hat… and a wristband or two. In her words, "If I fall in a ditch and somebody drives by and doesn't see me then they shouldn't be on the road"! She then branched out to riding around country blocks which had its own set of concerns. It seems like some of the farm dogs would see her (of course they did – she's wearing fluorescent yellow!) and ran out barking. She considered carrying mace but somehow, that just didn't feel right to her. So, in her wonderfully inventive, and creative mind, she decided to carry dog treats in her basket… and throw them behind her!! (I'll pause for a moment for you to appreciate that picture). She continually gave herself goals and her final riding goal and accomplishment was to ride her bike 900 miles in one biking season. She was 80 years old. When asked what she thought about while she biked, she responded, "Oh nothing really, I just pedal and pray". Please know if you ever saw her on her bike, and she saw you… you were prayed for.

In July of 2022, Mom felt somewhat dizzy as she was hanging up the laundry outside (yes – she still did that!) She took a ride in the ambulance to St. John's where we found out about a glioblastoma that was pressing on her brain. She later told us that that she figured God thought she '…needed some new, loving people in her life and so he sent her there to meet them.' Dorothy's faith never wavered through her surgery or during the follow up chemotherapy and radiation. She absolutely knew that God had her in the palm of his hand and that all would be well. She was a poster person for physical therapy, playing balloon volleyball regularly in the living room and lifting water bottles to build her strength.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and her "3rd daughter", David's wife Lesley. She is survived by her husband, Don Newell, her children, Dawn, Diane & David, treasured grandchildren and great grandchildren, her nieces and nephews and so very many friends.

Dorothy's signature sign-off on all of her correspondence for the last 50 years was, "Love, Prayers and Smiles" She lived her life boldly, (ziplining at age 75), vibrantly and shared a graciousness that could turn a quick trip to the Post Office into an hour-long visit! She cloaked herself in love and shared it with all that she met. Some of her last words were, "Good morning, dear one. It's going to be a wonderful day." And she made it so.

Arrangements for Dorothy are:

Monday, October 2nd

St Augustine Church

800 West Main St.

Ashland, IL

9:30 – 11:00 Visitation

11:00 Funeral Mass

Burial followed by a luncheon at the church hall. Please join Dorothy's family in sharing stories and smiles!

Memorial donations in memory of Dorothy are suggested to St. Augustine Catholic Church, Ashland Food Bank, or PrairieSkies Public Library District. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online at buchanancody.com.