Belva Longton

Belva Marie Longton Bel Nah Mabin, of Royal Oak, age 90, died Friday, November 14, 2008 at William Beaumont Hospital. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday 2 p.m. at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Road 4 blks. E of Woodward, Royal Oak. Belva Marie Longton was born on the Sarnia Reserve, Ontario, Canada and was the sole survivor of 13 siblings. Her Native name was Awah Ta Nah Nee Kee Kah Quay, which means the light before the storm. She was married to James Longton who preceded her in death. She was preceded in death by her sons, Allan Gabriel and Kenneth Longton. Her surviving family includes beloved daughter & son-in-law Dorothy and Gregory Knuth, and daughter-in-law Carmilla Gabriel. Treasured grandchildren Cecille Gabriel, John Gabriel, Sara Knuth, Jen Jewett and Regina Maloczewski. Beloved nieces and nephew, Patricia Glauner, H. Steven Clark and Beverly Clark. Cherished great nieces Lindsay Glauner-Stallard, Chelsea Clark-Asay, Morgan Clark and Kellie Clark. Treasured great grandchildren Antonio, Brittany, Ellie, Connor, Morgan and Sage. Belva was a well known hairstylist in Detroit and the suburbs for many decades. As a Native American business woman, she was a 'pioneer' in her day owning a successful beauty salon in downtown Detroit during the late 1930's... She received many accolades and won many trophies for her talents in hair coloring and styling on a national level. She was a talented seamstress and volunteered in Community Theater in Southfield to make costumes. She was a gifted crafts-woman and made beautiful native baskets as well as Christmas villages which were sold through Jacobsen's Department Stores for a period of time. Belva was an action and people oriented person. She had a passion for helping others and demonstrated this by volunteering through a local civic group to take developmentally impaired children bowling on a regular basis. She also volunteered for the local Mobile Meals and delivered meals to the homebound. Even with all of her interests in the world around her, her family remained her most important treasure and in that regard her family will miss 'their' most important treasure, her vibrant presence, loving care, loyalty, generosity and kindness. We will miss you Mom, Auntie Bel and Nana, - God bless you and guide you in peace to your heavenly home. Per her request, any memorial donations should be directed to the American Cancer Society.