Marie Newman, dressed for dinner with Patrick in their cabin. PHOTO: Patrick Newman
Marie Elizabeth Newman (nee McLeod), May 13, 1927 – July 2, 2013, with her husband Patrick, was a Consociate of the Second Advent Community for many years until her passing.
Marie was born to William J. McLeod and his wife, Elizabeth Greig, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She is survived by her husband, Patrick, who resides near family members in Lacombe, Alberta. Marie’s childhood and early schooling were in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, before her family moved to Edmonton in 1940. She graduated from Strathcona High School and earned a teaching certificate from the University of Alberta. From there Marie began a career as a teacher in a log school at Crooked Creek, in northern Alberta, and afterward moved south to take a position in Lacombe, Alberta. It was here in 1951 that she met Patrick Newman, and in 1953 they were married in Edmonton. To Marie’s regret, the couple had no children, but she transferred her maternal instincts to her students and became a dedicated teacher.
Marie and Patrick traveled extensively. After four years of traveling to places such as Sept Isles, Quebec; Manchester, England; and Tehran, Iran, they returned to Edmonton where Marie completed her bachelor of education degree. Later, they lived for extended periods in Montreal and Toronto, Canada; Reno, Nevada; Lima, Peru; and finally back in Alberta in Rosedale Valley. In each of these locations, Marie found herself either teaching or working as a medical secretary. Her experience ranged from the log schoolhouse to an urban charm school. At various times she was a valued member of the staff of Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish schools where her skills as an English teacher were greatly valued. As a medical secretary she was particularly helpful to medical professionals whose first language was not English but who had valuable research to publish. Aside from English, Marie had an interest in other languages, and could, to some degree, speak Spanish, French, and Farsi. Her further interests included drama, both as a performer and a director (most recently as a member of the Vintage Players in Reno) and a love of people, parties, and Scottish Country Dancing.
She will be sorely missed, especially her smile, but we are happy that she has been released into Light.
