Marcella (Sally) Boynton

Marcella, always known as "Sally," was born in Osage, Iowa, a small town located in the northern part of the state, just a few miles south of the Minnesota border. During her childhood, the family moved to Charles City, Iowa where her father, William Grube, worked for the Oliver Tractor Factory while her mother, Frances Hartogh Grube cared for their home and five children. Sally, their youngest child, was born on August 26, 1924.

Sally graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1941 with a perfect attendance record. A week later, she left Charles City, Iowa to join her two older sisters, who were already living in Chicago, and began working for a telephone company. On Tuesdays, Sally and her sisters often went to see the Chicago Cubs play at Rigley Field since Tuesday was "ladies day" and they got in for free.

Following World War II, Sally found work at the C&O Railway. There she became a service attendant, serving guests in the passenger cars. Sally enjoyed the single life of a 1940's "stewardess" commuting between Chicago and Grand Rapids. Often the girls would go out after their run and on one of these outings she met Jack Boynton, recently discharged from the U.S. Navy after serving during World War II, at a nightclub in Grand Rapids. After dating for a period of time, Jack and Sally knew they wanted to be together for the rest of lives and on Saturday, October 9, 1948, Jack and Sally became husband and wife. On March 23, 1951, Sally gave birth to their daughter, Pamela Denise Boynton and on May 28, 1959 to a son, John Decatur Boynton.

Sally knew it was important to give her children good parenting, to teach them family values and good work ethic. She led by example, proving herself to be a devoted member of her church and always putting the interest of her family first and foremost in everything she did. Sally also became a Girl Scout leader for a time. From the time the children were young, the Boynton household always had a dog in the house. Sally loved animals. One of her favorite ways to spend time was with her family – including the dogs – at the family cottage on Big Twin Lake.

She enjoyed cooking for everyone, her own favorite foods being anything chocolate or, really, anything sweet. As the children got older, Sally went back to work full-time at the Kent County Juvenile Court where she retired as a Statistician in the mid 1970's. Jack had previously retired from the Post Office about a year before and now they could enjoy their retirement years together.

Sally enjoyed card games and board games and they both loved to square dance and were members of a local square dance club. During the course of their retirement, they traveled to every state in the union, except Hawaii. And whatever they were doing, they thoroughly enjoyed being in each other’s company. They enjoyed wintering in Florida and Arizona and spending summers with the family at Big Twin Lake.

Though Jack died in 2000, he and Sally enjoyed fifty-two wonderful years together. Her friends and family will miss her lively, loving presence always.

Marcella (Sally) H. Boynton, age 80, of Grand Rapids, beloved wife of Jack Boynton, died on Monday, April, 18, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Boynton in December of 2000. Surviving are her children; John and Sheryl Boynton, Pam and Don Ellinghausen, her granddaughters; Alicia, Arianne and Shana Boynton; her brother, Ralph and Angie Grube; her sister, Florence Roberts and brother–in-law, Eugene Galant, all of Charles City, Iowa.

Friends and family may meet with Sally’s family on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, and one hour prior to the Mass on Friday at the church. The Rosary will be prayed on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church 2510 Richmond NW. Please visit Sally’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory of Sally, sign the guest book or make a contribution to Kent County Humane Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.