THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Sunday, April 8, 2012

Graveside services for Shirley Price Newton, 88, of Oak Park IL, formerly of Palm Coast FL will be held on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 10:30 AM in Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, 511 Old Kings Road S. Flagler Beach. The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 15, 2012 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM in the chapel of Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home. A memorial service and time of remembrance will be held at 5:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

Shirley, originally from Milford CT, a resident of Palm Coast from 1984 until moving to Oak Park IL in 2010 passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at her home. Born in New York City on May 3, 1923, Shirley received a BA from Hunter College [1944] in New York, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University [Connecticut, 1961] and a sixth year degree in Administration and Supervision at Fairfield University [Connecticut,1970]. Trained in English and speech therapy, she taught English and dramatics at Neosho and Granby High Schools, Missouri, for two years before returning to Connecticut where she resumed teaching at Milford High School, serving as department chair until her move to Joseph A. Foran High School where she ultimately became a principal.

During her career, Shirley engaged in many community and professional activities which included chairmanship of the Milford Principals' Association and presidency of the Business and Professional Women's Club during which time she organized three Keyette Service Clubs in Milford's three high schools. She served as a hospital volunteer for more than thirty years and was equally active as a Red Cross Director for ten years. Shirley was co-founder of the Animal Shelter and an active worker for United Way.

Moving with her beloved Sam to Palm Coast FL in 1984, Shirley continued her active life by serving as president of the Flagler County Art League, president of the Sisterhood of Temple Beth Shalom, president of Hadassah, and a member of the Superintendent's Task Force. She helped found and served as Chair of the Advisory Board of Adult and Community Education for more than twenty years. Additionally, Shirley was the co-founder of Family Life Center and Safe House as well as the Flagler County Chapter of the American Heart Association, serving as Director and board member of both for a number of years.

She also co-founded and served as president of Rotary Anns [now designated Rotary Partners] of three local Rotary Clubs until herself becoming a Rotarian in the late 1980's. In addition, Shirley was co-chair of the AAUW Scholarship Committee, a charter member of the Palm Coast Boating Association, and chaired the President's [mentoring] Project of the Palm Coast Women's Club. Shirley also held active memberships in the American Legion Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, New England Club of Palm Coast, R.S.V.P., The Audubon Society, Phi Delta Kappa, and Brandeis University National Women's Committee.

Over the years, Shirley was named Woman of the Year once a decade for five decades: Business Woman of the Year in 1966, Kiwanis Educator of the Year in 1978, the 1982 Governor's Citation for Outstanding Educator of the Year; 1993 Flagler County Woman of the Year; and 2005 Flagler County Businesswoman of the Year.

A highlight for both Shirley and Sam came in 2009 when the Advisory Board of Flagler County's Adult and Community Education Division named its Technical Center library/media facility the Sam and Shirley Newton Media Center.

Mid-2010, Shirley moved to Oak Park IL. Continuing her habit of service to community, she quickly became a member of the Oak Park - River Forest Rotary Club where she served on the Literacy and Vocational Service Awards committees. With two other Rotarians, she was part of the team of spellers who took 1st place in the 2011 spring spelling competition sponsored by the Oak Park Chapter of Literacy Volunteers of America. Shirley very much enjoyed ceramics, playing bridge, visiting museums, and making jam for distribution to her many friends and family members.

On December 24, 1941, Shirley married the love of her life, Sam Newton, with whom she shared almost 68 years of a wonderful marriage prior to his death in 2009. Also preceding her in death was her daughter, Pamela Moffitt.

Survivors include daughter, Lesley E. and husband Donald Gottlinger of Forest Park, IL; son, Jon P. and wife Dee Newton, three grandchildren, Hannah, Sam, and Melanie of West Hartford, CT; son-in-law John A. and wife Maryann Moffitt of Milford, Connecticut; brother, Albert and wife Blanche Newton of Newport News, VA. as well as granddaughters Vicki Paredes of Forest Park IL; Cheryl Berillo and husband Mark of Crystal Lake IL; Diane Gaudio and Jenny Pesina both of Oakwood Hills, IL; 17 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Shirley Newton are suggested to: the Shirley Newton Artistic Scholarship Fund, c/o Flagler County Art League, City Market Place, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite 207C, Palm Coast, FL 32164, or to Hadassah Hospital Israel, c/o Maxine Moore, 18 Westcliffe Lane, Palm Coast, FL. 32164, or to The Rotary Foundation c/o the Rotary Club of Oak Park - River Forest, P. O. Box 654, Oak Park IL 60302.

Arrangements are in the care and trust of Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home.