Helen Newton

Service Date: February 18, 2015

Helen Newton

1915 ~ 2015

Helen Newton of Del Bonita, recently of Cardston, beloved wife of the late Ed Newton, passed away on February 12th; sixteen days short of her one hundredth birthday.

She was born March 1, 1915 in the house built by her father on his homestead near Longview Alberta – to her parents Billy and Ella Bews. She shared fond memories of watching her Dad work in his blacksmith shop, and of helping with the farm work and gardening. She and her sister were “busted” when the turnip seeds they poured down the gopher hole - so they wouldn’t have to plant any more - started growing. Helen attended a one room school at Longview by riding three and a half miles one way. She completed high school in High River, moving there with her younger sister and only traveling the eighteen miles home on weekends. In 1935/36 Helen completed Normal School training to become a teacher, and began her teaching career that fall in Boundary Creek. She taught there for six years, followed by three years in Del Bonita, four years in Carmangay, and a year and a half at Royalties / South Turner Valley (aka Little Chicago) where she thought she had the world by the tail because she could live at home and still collect a pay cheque. In 1946 she and her lifetime friend Marie Matlock embarked on a five thousand mile round trip journey to California, driving Helen’s Model A Ford. The scrapbook of that trip is one of the family heirlooms. On February 12, 1949 Helen married Ed Newton in a candlelit ceremony in High River, and after a honeymoon at the coast and a week at the Calgary Bull Sale the two returned to the Newton homestead and farm and ranch operation at Del Bonita.

Mom was an active partner on the farm, and a great cook whose hospitality and meals were enjoyed by all who passed through anywhere near mealtime. She was an active community member involved in the United Church as well as several organizations. In 1970 she and Dad were recognized with Alberta’s Master Farm Family award. She served as secretary of the Del Bonita Historical Society whose work culminated in publishing the area’s history book “Heritage of the High Country” in 1981. Mom was named Magrath and District citizen of the year in 1987. We know there are many appreciative recipients of the thousands of cards and letters she sent over her lifetime, some of whom will be reading this. Mom lived to see both the Bews place at Longview and the Newton place at Del Bonita receive Alberta’s Century Farm and Ranch award – recognition of the land remaining in operation by members of the original homestead family for 100 years. She contributed significantly to that achievement at both places.

Helen is survived by her daughter Kathy (Lavern) Vadnais of Cardston, and their children Maureen Vadnais (Frank Sloan), Megan (Wes) Card, Holly (Gary) Kutsch, Heather Vadnais (Adair Quesnelle), Ryan (Brooke) Vadnais; by her son Bill (Nancy) Newton of Fort Macleod and their children Larissa (Paul) Welsch, Danny (Corina) Newton; by her son Jim (Terry) Newton of Del Bonita and their children Julaine (Gord) Guitton, Jody (BJ) Scheirlink, Amanda (Bert) Caldwell; and by her son Dave (Kelly) Newton of Del Bonita and their children Kaycee Newton, Blake Newton (Brittney Schuurman). Helen is also survived by her dear sister Florence of Calgary, and by twenty-three great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by Ed, her loving husband of fifty-three years, as well as by her parents, her brother Mac, her sister Margaret, and her great grandson Wyatt Card.