Irene Katherine Griffin LaChance Newton left her earthly home on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. She was born Feb. 22, 1936 to Dorothy Mae Yates and John Griffin in New London, Missouri.
She later took the name of her step-father, Lou LaChance. Her siblings were Leo, Ray, Joan, Bette, Bob, and Brenda. Leo and Ray preceded her in death.
She married Fred Henry Newton on her 18th birthday, Feb. 22 1954. They were blessed to adopt 3 children: Kevin Robert (Marne’), Yvette Theresa, and Kenneth William (Jan).
Kevin preceded her in death. She had 9 grandchildren: Mariah, Forest, Aurora, Dawson, Brandi, Sam, Zachary, Jason, and Karina. They have provided her with 4 great-grandchildren so far.
She will be remembered for her generous spirit and her creative soul, loved by everyone, disliked by no one. She will be deeply missed and we will never forget her and all of the advice and experience that she shared with us. She deeply loved her husband of 63 years and all of her family.
She gave freely to her family and friends, everything she had. Possessions meant nothing to her, she had everything she needed and wanted for nothing. She suffered through a tragic childhood and rose above it all to become the best wife and mother that any of us could’ve ever hoped for.
Irene loved her cat Pretty Girl, and all cats. She was a beautiful model for Sears. She enjoyed camping and playing cards.
She was a great teacher to children in Sunday School and Primary. She managed being Primary president and PTA president at the same time! Irene taught her three adopted children that they were hand-picked and made them feel like they were her own.
This family was meant to be together, she loved her family more than anything! She was extremely creative, good at knitting and sewing, and once had her own company called Irene’s Intricuts ✂️. An amazing seamstress, especially since all her sewing was on an old-fashioned treadle sewing machine.
The Quilted Bear was one of her favorite places to shop and sell her handicrafts. She gave handmade quilts, afghans, and Christmas ornaments to all of her children and grandchildren. She had the sweetest spirit and would do anything for you, she would listen to you for hours and gave the best advice you could ever get from anyone.
She liked to lay in the front yard watching the quail and enjoying the view of the mountains. Her children remember her reading stories to them in the car and at home. She loved playing games with her family and friends, and she was truly a Mother to her sisters and brothers, and many others.
She was also a great cook! She will truly be cherished and missed! We are eternally grateful for the opportunity to have known her.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23, 2019, 11:00 a.m. at the Butler 11th Ward, 1845 East 7200 South. A visitation will be held the day of the service at the church from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Interment Mountain View Memorial Estates. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Irene on Tribute Wall tab at the top of her obituary on this page.
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