Donna & William Newport

Thank you for joining us today on what would’ve been our parents, Bill & Donna Newport’s, 50th Wedding Anniversary. There is no better way to honor their lives, than to celebrate their love for one another.

Mom and Dad’s love story began in 1971 when they were introduced by their mutual friend, Ann Bassford. They fell in love instantly and spent every moment they could together. We didn’t know it, but Dad was a hopeless romantic. Whenever they were apart, he would write Mom long, mushy letters full of how much he loved her. We are so grateful to have found a stack of these letters going through Dad’s things. In finding them, we learned so much about their love, and things we never knew about their story.

On November 9, 1974 they were married in a simple ceremony at the nursing home where Mom worked as the cook. In the few years after, we (Matthew & Brenda) were born, making their family complete.

Growing up, our parents were our biggest cheerleaders. Dad coached Matt in little league, and would show up at all of Brenda’s choir concerts with his camcorder in hand. Reading in one of Dad’s heartfelt letters, he shared that Mom and us kids were his whole world. And it showed. Mom showed her love and support in many ways, but especially through prayer. She became a Christian in the early 70’s and was an absolute prayer warrior. Anytime we left the house, she would stop to pray the full armor of God over us. She was a fiercely devoted mother.

When Dad became a Christian, his love for Jesus renewed his love for Mom. In 1991, he asked her to marry him again and gave her the wedding of her dreams. They renewed their vows with their kids by their side. It’s one of our sweetest memories as a family.

As we grew and started families of our own, Mom and Dad became the most amazing grandparents. They were crazy about their grandsons, Aaron (Matt & Miranda) and Clayton (Brenda & Matt), and wholeheartedly welcomed Noah, Ethan & Hannah into their hearts when Brenda and Matt(y) were married. They also had a whole crew of honorary grandkids – Rebekah Dellinger, and Josiah & Elijah Rider, and honorary great-grandson Titus Dellinger. Our parents had big hearts and lots of love to share.

Mom and dad were not perfect, but even through difficulties and challenges, they chose to stay together.

They modeled to us what commitment and loyalty look like, and surprised us with how deeply rooted their love was for one another. We find so much comfort in knowing that they’re together again and enjoying the most perfect love.

A celebration of life for Donna will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA 98036.