Eleanor E. "Betty" Newton

Eleanor Elizabeth "Betty" Newton, age 94, of Kennewick, Washington, died peacefully on May 3, 2013. She was born on September 9, 1918, in Rochester, New York, the daughter of George Jonathan Wagner and Daisy Turner Wagner. She spent a magical early childhood in Rochester with her parents, older brothers, George and Judson, and with her grandmother, Sadie. Cancer claimed her mother, Daisy, in 1926. Her father, George, married Anna Gordon a few years later and Betty soon had a younger brother, Michael, in the family.

Betty was a cheerleader at Irondequoit High School and following graduation she worked for Eastman Kodak where she formed many friendships that lasted throughout her long life. She married Hallie James Jim Newton, Jr., in 1943. He was in the Army at the time and was immediately ordered to the war in the Pacific Theater. That same year, she moved to Richland with her father and grandmother. Her husband joined them in Richland following his discharge from the Army in 1946. During their 66 years together, Betty and Jim had three children, Hallie James Newton III Jim, Sherry Denise and Marcia Lee. The family had many adventures as they traveled around the Pacific Northwest on weekends and vacations. Betty was an avid bridge player, a firm believer in charity work, and supported Children's Hospital in Seattle for many years.

Betty's husband, Jim, and her daughter, Marcia, preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Jim, and his son Scott Newton and his wife, Carrie, of Vancouver, Washington, and their daughters, Jocie and Maddie; by Betty's daughter, Sherry, and her daughter, Angie and her husband Steve Ticknor of Destin, Florida, and their children Jake and Rees; by the son of her daughter Marcia, Ben Denniston and his wife Nicole, of Boring, Oregon; and by her brother Michael's son, Chris Wagner and his wife, Karen, and their children Lorin and Elena of Novato, California.

Betty contributed much to the happiness of others and spent many summer vacations hiking and having good times with grandchildren and their friends. She was dedicated to her family and gracefully touched the lives of many others.

A family memorial service was held at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland, Washington.