Obituary of Louise Gagne Newton

Our beloved mother, Louise Blanche Gagne Newton passed away peacefully on August 24th 2023, at Mt. Marie Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Louise was born on January 4, 1935 in Holyoke MA, the daughter of the late Lena and Arthur Gagne and is predeceased by her sister Rita. She leaves behind her dear brother, Donald Gagne of South Hadley. Louise was a smitten twenty year-old when she married James B. Newton Sr. the love of her life for 56 years. Jim was a twenty-eight year old widower with two precocious toddlers and in the early years worked in sales at the family business. She admits she had a lot to learn, but she embraced her new life with excitement and fortitude and often said, “It wasn’t easy but it was fun!” The household quickly grew to a family of eight in only five years. Our mom once admitted to turning the clock ahead by an hour or two to get us “in bed and out of her hair,” preserving her sanity and marriage. She drew on her Catholic faith with a litany of novenas to sustain her as she encountered life’s challenges, including the death of their youngest son Thomas at nine months of age. Louise was known for creating beautiful hand sewn quilts, vibrant flower gardens and being an incredible cook. To this day, no one can duplicate her amazing pot roast or scrumptious Jewish Apple Cake. She could recite the Latin names for flowers like her favored Shasta Daisy the leucanthemum; remember in detail historical events; her childhood friends and activities; recall from decades ago people’s names, addresses and birthdays. But the one thing she simply couldn’t do, no matter how hard she tried was to accept a compliment. When she overheard our complaints about feeling old, she quipped, “How do you think I feel? All my ‘kids’ are senior citizens! She is survived by her children: James B. Newton Jr. and wife Christiane of Cape Elizabeth, ME; Carla W. Newton of West Springfield, MA; Cynthia Neumann and husband Gus of Squaw Valley, California; Linda Newton-Hoey and husband Mark of Holyoke, MA; and Jeffrey T. Newton (late wife Sarah) of Boston MA. Louise also cherished her thirteen grandchildren: Julie, Kathryn, Caroline, Elizabeth, Schuyler, Cailey, Valerie, Jordan, Farrah, Clinton, Avery, Lindsay, Chase, and nine great-grandchildren: Lucy, Madeline, Nicholas, Penelope, Oliver, Alice, Dakota, Henry and Natalie. Though impossible for us to express the depth of our gratitude, respect and love we hold for our beloved mother, we believe she will be rewarded for her lifetime of selflessness, prayer and sacrifice as promised by God: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) Memorial contributions may be made to Kate’s Kitchen at 51 Hamilton St. Holyoke, MA. 01040