Margie Ruth Newman

She was born March 2, 1923 in Nehawka, Nebraska to Hall Addison Pollard and Verna Leila Harris Pollard, the oldest of four children. Her sister Carol Ann died in childhood. She married William Reece Elton Newman on July 16, 1944. He preceded her in death in 1983.

She is survived by her sister, Virginia Field and her brother, James Pollard, as well as her children, Linda Simpson, Anita Newman, Reece Newman and Amy Newman; grandchildren Scott and David Simpson; Justin, Chelsea, Andrew and Tyler Burkett; Alyssa and Miles Van Denburg and four great-grandchildren.

She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Home Economics in 1945. Her life in Utah began in 1952 when her husband started teaching at the University of Utah College of Medicine. She was a member of the University Medical Wives. As an active and dedicated member of First Baptist Church, Salt Lake City, she served as Women’s Society President, Deaconess, member of several Pastoral Nominating Committees and the Foundation Board. She sewed 54 Cherub Choir robes, cooked countless dinners and was honored by having the Meditation Room named for her. After election to the National Board of American Baptist Women, she wrote publications for young women and helped lead national conferences at Green Lake, Wisconsin. As a 4-H Leader for many years, she taught girls the fine arts of cooking and sewing. Their projects were awarded numerous blue and purple ribbons at County and State Fairs. She earned a Masters Degree in Health Sciences from the University of Utah in 1975. As an area Director for the Expanded Foods and Nutrition Program of the Utah State University Extension Service, she trained aids who then taught low-income homemakers throughout Salt Lake, Tooele and Morgan Counties, the fundamentals of nutrition and food preparation.

Growing up on a farm, she remained a farmer at heart, harvesting and giving away hundreds of bushels of apples as well as apricots and grapes. She modeled her belief in hard work and commitment. Her dedication to her family was evident in that she never missed a single grandparents’ day for any of her grandchildren, whether in Utah, California or Illinois.

The family wishes to thank Hemlyn Atkins for her excellent care of Margie during the last six months.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist church, 777 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, on May 21st, 2011 at 12:00 noon. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the First Baptist Church Foundation. Donations may be mailed to the above address or delivered to the church at the time of the service. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.evans-earlymortuary.com.

direction of Evans & Early Mortuary, Salt Lake City, UT.