Laura P. Newton

She had fought a gallant fight with cancer for over 2 years. A small private family celebration of her life is planned for the Saturday, the 26th.

Laura Lynn Patterson was born in Seattle, Washington on 01/20/1952, to Donald D. Patterson and Donna B. Griffith. Almost an Eskimo she used to say, as her dad, a member of the United States Navy, was transferred from Kodiak, Alaska just two weeks prior to her birth. Being a “Navy Brat”, Laura grew up in port towns all over the country. Those places include, Seattle, Washington DC,. San Diego Ca, Long Beach, Ca, Long Island NY., Norfolk, Va, and Bowie Md., where her dad was the head band leader of the Naval Academy Band at Annapolis, Maryland.

While visiting her Grandmother, Thelma Patterson, in Dinuba, Ca, a friend of the family set her up on a blind date with her future husband, Douglas K. Newton. Their three children were Michael Mark Newton, David Darren Newton, and Jamie Joanne Newton.

Laura was always busy taking care of her kids, helping her husband in his real estate business, and then their real estate appraisal business, as well as a bookkeeper and paymaster for the family real estate firm of Newton and Sons Real Estate in Dinuba. In later years she took up cooking for old folks and shut-ins around the town that her husband would come in contact with. One of her prized pictures is of her having 5 chicken fryers going at once, making supper for others.

In her younger years, she was a champion bowler. Consistently winning awards for achieving an 800 point series in three games. In the 1970's, while competing in the regional playoffs, Laura lost by 1 pin to the woman that later became the California state bowling champion.

But the real loves of her life were her Lord and savior Jesus Christ, her husband, kids and grand kids. Always trying to plan a special trip to Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Lake Tahoe, or to Pismo Beach. Always wanting to give to others rather than get from others. In her husband’s eyes she was not only the love of his life, and their children’s mother, she was also his best friend.

She is survived by her husband of over 46 years, Douglas K. Newton; son, Michael of Monterey along with his wife Jacqueline, daughters Pamela and Alisa Newton; son, David of Bakersfield and his wife Edith, with their children Laura, Rebecca, Darren, and Melissa Newton; and daughter Jamie Joanne Moon, of Florence, Oregon; nieces, nephews, and dozens of friends she’s met over the years through her genealogy research, and chat rooms.

"A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems to short." ~ Andre Maurois