Daphne Towson Overway's Obituary
Daphne Towson Overway, age 91, passed away on July 13, 2015. She was born on May 25, 1924, in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, to Richard and Agnes Towson. After completing education in a private girls’ school in Dublin, her passionate and feisty spirit compelled her to enlist in the British Royal Forces after Hitler claimed he would turn Ireland into a “cabbage patch”. Her final years of World War II service were at Allied Headquarters in Italy where she met a handsome American soldier, Marvin Overway. They married in 1946 after the end of the war and lived in Italy while he worked for the State Department. She returned with him to his home in Holland, Michigan, a few years later and became a proud American citizen. Together they raised five children in Hudsonville, Michigan. When her children were all in school, Daphne enrolled in Grand Valley State University where she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Special Education. She was employed for several years by the Ottawa County Intermediate School District at the Ottawa Area Center for Special Education and she was honored with an Excellence in Service Award for her work with the children she loved. When she and Marvin retired, they traveled extensively, including several trips to Ireland to visit family and a final return trip to Italy to revisit the places where they met, married, and honeymooned. Marvin passed away a short while after that trip. Daphne continued traveling with family, gardening, and completing her daily crypto-quotes. Her favorite pastime was sitting by the lodge fireplace at the annual four-day family Christmas at Camp Tosebo in Onekama. Daphne was predeceased by her beloved husband, her parents, her brother Rudolf, and several in-laws. In addition to several relatives in Ireland, she is survived by her five children and fourteen grandchildren: Dana and Robert VandenBos (Amanda and Patrick Sorrelle, Martin II and Dawn Gravelyn), Jon and Ruth Overway (Janell and Kevin Stevens, Abram and Melisa Overway, Ian and Courtney Overway, Aaron and Jacqueline Overway), Erin Reynolds (Kendra Shuck, Cory and Joshua Weidner, and Damon Shuck), Sara Busken (Jon Busken and fiancée Cassie), and Michael and Traci Overway (Miles Overway, Abbygail Overway, Joshua Overway, and Ethan Overway). She is also survived by seventeen great-grandchildren (with two more on the way!). The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Daphne’s caregivers Lucinda and Ruth and to her Hospice team, especially Jody and Margaret, for their loving care. Daphne was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven, Michigan, where a private service for family and close friends will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Marvin Overway Scholarship at Hudsonville Public Schools, 3886 VanBuren Street, Hudsonville, Michigan, 49426, would be appreciated. Share memories with the family at their online guestbook at www.vbkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by VanZantwick, Bartels, Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven, Michigan.
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