Elizabeth 'Libby' C. (Norlander) Newell

Life Legacy

HOLDEN - Elizabeth “Libby” C. (Norlander) Newell, Holden centenarian, civic leader, 102, died peacefully at home on April 6, 2017 with members of her family gathered.  She was the wife of the late C. Bradford Newell of Holden.  She was born Elizabeth Charlotte Norlander in New Bedford, Massachusetts in May, 1914 to Albert and Florence Morgan (Anthony) Norlander. She was educated in New Bedford, received a Bachelor’s  Degree from  Skidmore College and for two years after graduation, she worked as a cardiology research assistant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.     Active in the Holden community, Elizabeth served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Damon Memorial/Gale Free Library from 1951 to 1999. She also served as secretary and treasurer from 1958-1990 and Chairman from 1992-1993. As a member of the Library Building Committee, she wrote the historical narrative for the Gale Free Library: Renovation/Addition Building Project, 1984-1989.  In 1993, The Massachusetts Library Trustees Association named her Library Trustee of the Year.  A member of the Holden District Hospital Auxiliary, she actively participated in the initiation of several early volunteer services and was also active in the Holden Women’s Club, League of Women Voters and the Worcester Art Museum. Elizabeth was also a founding member of the Holden Infrastructure Investment Fund and served two terms on its Board of Trustees. In 2001, she received a Good Neighbor Award in recognition of volunteer service to the citizens of Holden.  Elizabeth was a dedicated alumna of Skidmore College. After co-founding the Worcester County Skidmore Club, she served as its first vice president. She represented the Skidmore admissions office in Worcester County for 12 years and served as the alumnae secretary for her college class of 1935 for over 60 years. In 1995, Skidmore College awarded her an Outstanding Service Award for her many college-associated activities and community service.   From 1956 to 2000 she taught piano to several generations of Holden children and for several years taught ‘writing one’s life story’ workshops for adults. Her love of learning and community service continue to inspire the members of her family and many others who have known her over her lifetime.  She is survived by three daughters, Ann S. Newell Backus, of Manchester, NH; Cynthia Newell Oliver, wife of Eugene J. Oliver of N. Potomac, MD; Betsy Newell Decyk, wife of Viktor K. Decyk of Culver City, CA; three grandchildren, Gillian S. Backus, wife of Thomas A. Hazzard of Vienna, VA; Bradford C. Backus, husband of Sylvia Hui Backus of London, UK; Marika Decyk Holte, wife of James W.  Holte of Lafayette Hill, PA; and four great-grandchildren, Timothy R. Hazzard, Emma M. and Eric G. Holte, and Theodore A. Backus, as well as a half-sister, Alberta Norlander McLean, and a nephew, Byron A. Crampton.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the C. Bradford and Elizabeth C. Newell Fund at the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, 370 Main Street, Suite 650, Worcester, MA 01608 ( www.greaterworcester.org ). The beneficiaries of this fund are the Gale Free Public Library of Holden and the UMass/Memorial Health Care Newborn Intensive Care Unit.  There will be no calling hours or funeral at this time.  Condolences may be sent to Cynthia at cpnoliver@gmail.com . A celebration of life is being planned for August 2017. Arrangements for that event will be managed by Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.