She spent most of her life in the Portland metropolitan area. She graduated from Grant High School in 1940. She then attended NW Commerce Business School where she met her husband of 68 years, James Newton. Bea was a color-artist for several photo studios in Portland. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi for over 60 years. She also belonged to the NW Oriental Art Study Society and was docent at the Portland Art Museum, with expertise in Asian art and Persian rugs. Hobbies included oil painting, gardening, making family photo albums, traveling, and boating.
Bea is survived by her husband, James Benjamin Newton; sons, Randall B. Newton and Lance R. Newton; grandson, James Buchtel Newton; two great-grandsons, James David Newton and Benjamin Buchtel Newton; and four nieces.
A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, 2014 at Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland.
Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR.