Celeste Marie Newport

Celeste Marie (Anderson) Newport, 80, of Cherry Valley, IL ended her nearly three-year battle with uterine cancer on March 1, 2021. Celeste was born November 26, 1940 in DeKalb, the first of three daughters to Carl H. and Margaret (Lalley) Anderson. She graduated from East High School in 1958 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she majored in English. On August 1, 1964, Celeste married William G. Newport and together raised three children.

Celeste worked in several fun and fast-paced office environments including at General Electric as a secretary to the plant manager, at WREX as an administrative assistant, and for the majority of her career, at the State’s Attorney Office in Boone County as a child support specialist where she worked part time so she could still be a hands-on mom to her three children. Upon retiring, she enjoyed working a few days each month preparing invoices for her daughter’s company, Hills Marketing. She loved to stay active and worked with her daughter for the past 20 years up through the end of 2020.

Celeste was an outgoing and magnetic woman who was always up for spontaneous fun. She was quick to laugh and fun to be around. As was evident by her wide circle of friends and her vast and loving family, who can tell wonderful stories of bedtime tuck-ins (complete with creative storytelling and the MONSTER KISS!), homemade pizza nights, trips to the horse races and the Boone County Fair, tea parties and coffee talk, summertime vacations to northern Wisconsin and countless other adventures.

Celeste loved movies (especially Westerns), reading fiction, tending to her beautiful flower garden, traveling, and most especially, playing bridge with friends. Which she did up through the end of January 2021. (and did very well… she took first on her last outing!)

For many years, Celeste enjoyed playing tennis with friends and with her kids. She transitioned from participating in sports to mainly spectating, as a faithful supporter to her grandchildren in their various sporting activities. But most of all, she enjoyed cheering-on the Packers. (to the delight of her two Wisconsin born sons-in-law, and the dismay of her Bear-fan husband!)

One of Celeste’s many gifts was her ability to connect with children. For years, she was active in the Children’s Ministry at Heartland Church and loved teaching and playing with the kids, many of whom she had kept in touch with into adulthood. It was not uncommon to see Celeste sitting cross-legged on the floor (even in to her 70’s) surrounded by a group of captivated little ones.

Giving to others has always been important to Celeste. In high school she was a volunteer helper at Rockford Children’s Home. Later in life, she joined a philanthropic sorority with like-minded women who dedicated time and resources to various service projects. And in these actions, served as a remarkable example for her children and grandchildren.

Celeste wants to thank her faithful and loving longtime friends and neighbors for their kindness, thoughtfulness, and compassion, as well as her supportive and dedicated husband, Bill, who was by her side even in the most difficult days. Also sending out the deepest appreciation to the skilled and compassionate caregivers at Northern Illinois Hospice (especially to Theresa and Renea) and at the OSF Cancer Center (especially to Andrew and Sister Rose Thomas), proving that Angels truly do live among us.

Celeste is survived by her husband Bill Newport and their children Shelley (Joel) Ringelstetter of Sun Prairie, WI, Daniel Newport of Rochester Hills, MI, and Monica (Tim) Hills of Rockford, IL. As well as grandchildren Jake Ringelstetter, Jessica Newport, Dani Newport, Nate Hills, Elaina Hills, Joey Ringelstetter, Sarah Newport and Will Newport. Sister Cheryl Lindvall of Waukesha, WI. And many beloved nieces and nephews. Celeste is predeceased by her parents, her sister Carlene Anderson of Bryon, IL, and brother-in-law Roger Lindvall.

Reprint – NEW INFORMATION: A visitation will be held on Friday, June 11th from 3pm – 6pm at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Mulford. The funeral will be Saturday, June 12th beginning at 11am at Heartland Community Church (now Forest City Church at 1280 S. Alpine Road, Rockford).