Rochelle Lee Goldstein-Newiger (“Shellie”) passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday, January 7th, 2017 in Denton, Texas. She was 75 years old.

Shellie was born October 13, 1941 in Milwaukee Wisconsin, the second of two daughters to Sol and Edythe Gellman (nee Shumow). She was raised in Milwaukee amongst a large, warm and affectionate extended family. Shellie attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and married her high-school sweetheart, Warren Allen Goldstein, on December 29, 1962. Warren and Shellie had two daughters, Elizabeth Nancy, in 1963, and Rebecca Lynn, in 1966. Warren, Shellie and their 2 daughters moved to California in 1971 where they enjoyed a close, happy and adventurous family life which included rich spiritual and community connections, RV travel and valued friends and family.
Shellie was unexpectedly widowed at the age of 39 when her husband Warren died suddenly also at 39 years of age, on February 16, 1981. She then married Arthur (“Art”) Newiger in 1983, and moved to Texas to be closer to her daughter Rebecca. After 14 years of marriage, Shellie was widowed once again after caring for Art until his death in 1997.

Shellie lived actively and independently in The Woodlands where she enjoyed retirement and relationships with her older sister Maxine and husband Ben Lowell and their family.

While many would say that Shellie’s best friend in life was her Hoover Upright Vacuum Cleaner and that her proudest achievements were “floors so clean you could eat off of them”, what Shellie held dearest to her heart was her husband Warren, their marriage and family, along with the aunts, uncles and cousins who warmly welcomed them to California, the long-time friends they made there…and any song by Neil Diamond.
We, who have been blessed with a forkful of Shellie’s Potato Salad or a bite of her Ambrosia, heard her hearty laugh and listened to the deep Milwaukee accent that never left her soft-spoken voice, even after 46 years away from her home state, will carry these memories of her in our hearts.

After suffering a stroke in 2007, Shellie was a longtime resident of Senior Care in Denton, Texas. She will be remembered by both staff and fellow residents for her kindness, warmth and congeniality, as well as for her deep and abiding affection for chewy chocolate chip granola bars.
Shellie enjoyed activities planned by the Senior Care staff and the beautiful garden, which she loved to visit with her family.

Shellie cherished spending time and going on outings with Rebecca, her youngest daughter, and visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought her pride and joy. Shellie looked forward to and enjoyed Sunday afternoon phone calls from California with her oldest daughter Elizabeth. The relationship she maintained with her sister Maxine in Houston via telephone calls, meant a great deal to Shellie. The sisters remained in loving contact until Maxine’s death in 2014.

Shellie is survived by her children Elizabeth Eitman, Rebecca Lawler and husband, Billy; and 10 grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Nana”: Andrew Rafner and wife, Katie McMahon, Lindsey Grimes, Payton Lawler, Hayley Rafner, Sarah Grimes, Ashley Kontoff, Laurynn Grimes, Gracie Lawler and Addison Lawler. Shellie was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Ezra Sparks and Jonah Sparks.

She will be laid to rest with her husband Warren Goldstein at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles California on February 16, 2017.