Dutch Newman

Hila "Dutch" Newman had a date with her two favorite men. . Jesus and Phil Newman on July 27, 2016. At her transition into heaven, she was surrounded by her loving and adoring family. Dutch's story is one of love, family, courage, amazing fun, political leader, in fact a woman before her time, but first and foremost. . .always Love of her family. Born to Harry and Corinne Bucher on Aug. 18, 1920, Dutch lived her entire life in her beloved Westport. She attended Allen Grade School and graduated from Westport High School. Having suffered the loss of her sister, Alta, brother, Mike, and mom, Corinne by the young age of 22, Dutch's strength, resiliency and devotion to family were front and center as she had her little sister Sue, just five years old, to raise and a business to run with her dad. Dutch and her dad were the dynamic duo and instrumental in establishing Westport as the entertainment destination that it is today. Dutch married Phil, the love of her life, in 1950. Together they were blessed with three daughters, Michele, Phyllis and Donnie. Life was good. In fact, new members to Guardian Angels Parish, the nuns said we need a girls' volleyball coach and Dutch didn't hesitate. Never having picked up a volleyball, she learned the sport, called friends to get her team uniforms and Won The City Championship. Dutch took GA all the way! She simply made life magical by turning every birthday, holiday, especially Christmas, into a day that only dreams are made of. Being a people person, Dutch was naturally drawn to professions where she engaged with the public. As an appointee by Gov. Warren E. Hearnes, Dutch operated the Raytown License Bureau for eight years. She then oversaw all Department of Revenue offices on the western side of the state under Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale. Dutch's grandchildren were her pride and joy. Courtney, Phillip and Christopher would tell you that as a grandma, she was full of fun and the best secret keeper ever, but Dutch made no secret of how proud she was of them and their accomplishments. She also felt like she hit the jackpot being GiGi Dutch to her six great- grandchildren. We have heard the saying "Women can't have it all". . .but Dutch always felt she did. She had a beautiful family, and still became an active civic leader believing people make a difference. She was devoted to her community and the Democratic Party. Known to many, as the "Grand Dame of Missouri Democratic Politics", Dutch's passion for the Democratic Party began in the 1950s. In the early 1960s, Dutch established the Westport Landing Democratic Club which became the first political club in the Greater Kansas City area to have a woman as its Founder and President. She was the Founder and President of the 5th District Women's Democratic Club and former President of the State of Missouri Women's Federation Democratic Club. Dutch represented the State of Missouri as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from 1968 to 2016. She was selected to represent the State of Missouri as a Delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 2005. She served as Chairperson of the 10th and 11th Senatorial Districts and was the first woman appointed by the Governor to serve on Senatorial Re-Districting. Dutch continued to serve as the 5th Ward Committeewoman, a post she held for decades. She was the recipient of the Harry S. Truman Award, the Woman's 5th District Woman of the Year Award, Senator Harry Wiggins Public Service Award, Roger A. Gooden Award, exemplifying strong commitment to social injustice and inclusiveness and inducted into the Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus' 1st Hall of Fame in 2009. Honorary Dutch Newman Drive, representing Westport Road from Mill Street to Roanoke Road was celebrated June 28, 2006. It was July 24, 2014, when Dutch's phone rang and a stately voice asked her to please hold the line. Yes. . .It was President Barack Obama and Senator Claire McCaskill calling from Air Force One. . . What a thrill! In celebration of her 95th Birthday, hundreds of friends and family surprised Dutch with letters of love and profound memories of what she meant to them. Dutch Wowed everyone she met and touched the hearts of all who knew her. With Dutch, strangers became friends and friends became family. Once in a while, you meet someone who is impossible to forget . . that was Dutch. Her "I Love You's" were endless. She was the will and the way. She was our biggest fan and tireless cheerleader. Her unconditional love knew no bounds. Mom, we're counting on your promise to watch over us every second of every day . . until we meet again. Dutch's legacy is made up of those she called "my darlings", her three daughters, Corinne "Michele" Newman, Phyllis Newman Rice and Dr. Donna Newman. Her "favorite" and only son-in-law, Mike Rice and Paul Savastano, her buddy. The loves of her life, her three grandchildren and their spouses, Courtney Rice, Phillip and Ashley Rice and Christopher and Julia Rice. She believed it was the small things in life that mattered, most specifically, Brecken, Colton, Hudson, Hunter Bell, Crew, Emmy and Henley and Cannon who she was anxiously awaiting their births in a few months. Her beloved family circle includes her cousins, nieces, nephews and their children. Dutch's amazing life will be celebrated Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Visitation Church, 5141 Main Street, Kansas City, Mo. The visitation will be held at the Church from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The service will follow at 12 noon. The burial will be held at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, 9501 West 159th Street, Overland Park, Kan., following the service.