With the same courage and enthusiasm for learning that she displayed in this school room of life, Lyla Jean Holloway, Newland, Kofoed, Kidman passed into her next adventure of learning on May 1, 2021. She was born July 30, 1942 and at the young age of 16, Lyla married Richard Eugene Newland; they were married for 5 years. She was a cook at the Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo and at the age of 21 with three young children under the age of six, she moved to Salt Lake City to manage a diner in a discount store. Later, she was married to Elmer Esben (Al) Kofoed and they were together for 2 years.
In 1972, she began working for Bert Kidman as a receptionist and caregiver to his first wife, Eloise. After Eloise passed away, they fell in love and were married in 1974. They had eight years together raising six wonderful children. Lyla was known for her sincere and energetic fight for family rights. She fought a ten-year battle against the Equal Rights Amendment and served as the Salt Lake County Chairman for "Stop ERA" in 1975.
Knowing she had the gift of healing hands, Lyla became a massage therapist. She became a member of the American Massage Therapy Association and served as the Utah Chapter President, The District Director and the 3rd and 2nd Vice President of the national association. In 1981, Lyla started her own massage practice in Salt Lake City called "Holistic Massage Clinic".
Lyla was an inspirational author and had two short stories published in national magazines. However, her first piece of published work was a song, which she wrote and sang to her husband, Bert Kidman, at their wedding in 1974.
She loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. Her favorite song is "How Great Thou Art". She sang this song at every AMTA convention throughout America for years and was also featured on the March of Dimes Telerama in 1978.
Lyla was a perpetual student and teacher. She loved to write, sing, read and help others. Lyla was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 32. She battled for many years to overcome this disease and never let it get the best of her. In spite of her physical limitations, Lyla always had a positive and happy attitude. She always took responsibility for her life and believed she could learn from each situation.
She loved her home and was very proud of the fact that she completely paid for it on her own. We will miss her courage, her laughter, and the positive attitude she always carried with her. She loved life and she loved people, Our lives are better for having known her. When it came to life's struggles, she would ask, "What did you learn from that?” This was the hallmark of our mother's life.
She is survived by her loving children: Kynnette Emile, Denise Devey, Dane Newland, Tenna Hartman, Karina Randstadler; siblings: Patricia Holloway Smith; 18 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren. Lyla was preceded in death by Richard Eugene Newland, Elmer Esben (Al) Kofoed, Bert Frederick Kidman; friend, Jay Burke; brothers: Raymond Holloway & Ted Holloway, daughter, Melonie Pistone and her parents, Karl Lyle Holloway & Selma Gertrude Little.
In honor of Lyla’s life a viewing will be Friday, May 7, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 1:50 pm at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, UT 84120. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Graveside services will be 3:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens Memorial Park, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT
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