I remember first meeting Jeannette and Jack back in 1979. Our local church at Carstairs, a few miles north of Calgary, asked Wycliffe for a missions presentation in a Sunday evening service, and Jack was the one who came. I was already interested in joining Wycliffe then, and so I had a long chat with Jack after the meeting. It wasn’t long after that I also met Jeannette, and felt the warm friendliness and special interest in me as a person that characterized my relationship with both Jeannette and Jack through the years. I find it very hard to think of them separately.

Val and I got better acquainted with Jeannette and Jack when they visited us in South Asia in 1991. At that time Jack was the director of Wycliffe Canada, and he and Jeannette were visiting Wycliffe Canada teams in a number of different places. Val and I hosted them in our home for several days, and what a cheerful, bright presence they were. Though Jeannette would have had vastly more experience with life in Asia than we had, there was nothing about her interaction that conveyed superior knowledge or seniority. She radiated interest and enjoyment and enthusiasm for us and for the glimpses of our life and work that we shared with her and Jack. Their visit was a wonderful encouragement for us.

We’ve had many occasions to be with Jeannette and Jack through the years, some of those when I worked closely with Jack as Wycliffe Canada’s director of administration during a furlough in 1993-4. Our relationship included visits and meals in each other’s homes from time to time. One of our last visits with Jeannette and Jack together was when Jack was getting weaker and was dependent on oxygen. We had very hesitantly invited them for a meal in newly acquired home in Carstairs, having sought much advice from Jack as first-time home buyers. They came gladly, with Jeannette cheerfully commenting that it’s risky for Jack to travel so far and be depending only on bottled oxygen, and adding very sincerely that the risk was well worth it - just to spend time with us.

We’ll surely miss Jeannette’s warm friendliness and cheerful presence in the Wycliffe office and in our circle of friends.

This brings warm thoughts and prayers for Jeannette's family in this special time of parting.

Neil Carleton (and for Val)

So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing.. such a wonderful person.. I have many fond memories of our earlier years..

the video presentation was very good. A real tribute to her and her life.. thank you for your efforts to make such a good

Presentation...my prayers and thoughts are with your family at this time...take care... Melanie (Newton) Dillabaugh ..

Brief Memories from “old-timers” upon hearing of Jeannette Newton’s Homegoing

Wayne Aeschliman, chief pilot in Kathmandu, Executive Committee Charman for many years, late wife Marilyn and Jeannette often traded off secretary-ing responsibilities in Nepal Admin:

“Jeannette, and Jack, were special servants in Nepal even after the Branch had to leave. I also spent time with Jack when he was Director of Wycliffe Canada. Tough job but he was willing to serve.”

Elisabeth Christmas, translator for Kupia language in central eastern India, she and then husband Ray finished 2nd New Testament the South Asia Group published, in early 1980’s:

“She was a lovely lady and well remembered.”

Norm and Helen McNair, Australians who started their SIL career in India, then moved to Nepal when India closed, and started on another language, but barely before Nepal, too closed:

“We were sad to hear of Jeanette’s passing and send our thoughts and prayers to all the family. Newtons were a family we knew from our many trips from India to Kathmandu. But we only arrived to settle there in October 1975 with our two girls and me pregnant with Brett. I know many families had scooters but for some reason I have this picture of the Newton family on two scooters. I have this picture clearer than any photo I have ever taken! I also remembering wondering ‘Where would we put a third child?’ We are in Darwin where we have lived since moving from the Aboriginal community we moved to after Kathmandu.”

Beth Morton, Australian architect/translator for Halbi language in central India, designed buildings at SIL Tribhuvan University campus, and the SIL houses, too:

“I remember her warm, friendly, ever-smiling greeting whenever we met. Such precious memories to brighten the day. We have just sold the blueberry farm, so we can look forward to finding out what real retirement is. Or maybe pastures new?!”

And here are my memories:

Jenny Williams, my new Australian co-worker and I were in the “village” on the east coast of India when 3 Newtons arrived in Poona in 1969, just at the time when many India translators were having to leave the country because visas were not being renewed. When we did show up in Poona we were immediately impressed with what super team players these Newtons were. With departure chaos around them, they set to and helped everybody they could in whatever way possible, all with a calming, cheerful spirit, and lots of good humor to infect the rest of us. One hilarious incident I remember when Jeannette and I were cleaning out some of the houses that were being vacated by departing members. There were a lot of squash bottles to be returned to the local provisions store in town. (For the uninitiated, those are bottles of thick fruit nectar that could be diluted in a glass with water or something fizzy, to make up a refreshing fruit drink for the heat of the day.) We piled all the bottles into plastic baskets strapped to the back of our bicycles and pedaled them across the river bridge into downtown Poona. To our horror, upon arriving at the store, we discovered that almost every one of the bottles had become a tasty home for a wide variety of sizes of cockroaches. We were too embarrassed to take the bottles in stuffed like that, so the two of us sat on the curb out front earnestly shaking out every single last cockroach into the gutter, while howling with laughter so as not to have to make eye contact with all the onlookers.

Not long after that, the Newtons themselves were being assisted in moving the Finance Office up to Kathmandu, as that was the more strategic location since India was emptying out, so to speak.

My next memory is of 1969, I myself was unexpectedly leaving India for Nepal, because of visa non-extension. How nice to have familiar faces on that side, since I’d not had opportunity to meet most of the folks working in Nepal before. Jeannette was given the assignment of typing up (long before we ever heard of anything being keyboarded) the final photo-ready copy of the SIL Bibliography of the Lesser Known Languages of India and Nepal. I was the proof-reader. Talk about a patient, accurate typist, she was undaunted by all the new names of both languages and authors that were smothering every page of the Bibliography. She soldiered on without hesitation, and seldom had to type the page over because I had found a mistake.

Next memory comes from Shanta Bhawan Hospital in Kathmandu. About 5 weeks after I had arrived, I was admitted for a bad case of Hepatitis A, so all the rest of the SIL members in town were urged to get the gamma globulin injection immediately to prevent their joining me. It was just a couple weeks later when Jeannette became my roommate in the infectious diseases section. She must have been coming down with it before the injection, so she had only a mild case and was released in a couple weeks.. One early evening, she was having an always-welcome visit from Jack. I was dozing and not following their conversation. But before I drifted off, I could not help but overhear Jeannette informing Jack that they were pregnant. My back was to them, so I didn’t see his reaction, but it was obviously a most delightful announcement to him—for both of them!

To have the entire Newton family come down to the Maithili village in the south of Nepal, where Elizabeth Smith and I were holding a house-warming for the grand new home Jack had helped negotiate and design for building on the village “Mayor’s” land. He and Steve Smith had even spent several days putting on a nice high roof so we could let a lot of the summer heat rise. So the day came to share with our village friends our version of a house-warming. The Newtons and the rest of the Smith family came to help us put on a tea party. Fearless Jeannette and intrepid Jack rode down over a 9,000 ft pass through the mountains to our humble 214 ft. elevation on their motorcycles! You can imagine the amazement of the villagers, especially the women, upon seeing a woman tackling that trip and coming out very, very dusty but still laughing.

Next memory is from the “re-advance to India” in November of 2001. Newtons were asked to lead this reAdvance, taking over the former Survey rented house in Bangalore, south India. I was happy to join them for part of the setting up, old India-walli that I was. Setting up a home, guest house, and office in a new city is quite a lengthy task, especially without being able to rely on our Nepali communication skills there. Jeannette was an excellent hostess and housekeeper and cook. You can imagine her dismay to find that while it was empty for long stretches of time, all kinds of other residents had taken advantage of the space and made themselves at home. The infestations would be dealt with drastically one day to our satisfaction, only to come out in the morning to find all kitchen countertops again covered with moving creatures of the same or even a newer sort. Poor Jeannette didn’t complain or even think of giving up the campaign. And through it all she kept us nourished and healthy . . . and laughing at ourselves . . . and praying for relief.

We have been privileged to have known, worked with, and been richly blessed by such a godly, faithful, encouraging, talented, humble, infectiously cheerful, thoughtful woman who was quick to praise God for all things.

Alice Davis

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JEANNETTE MARYLIN NEWTON

Today I am writing to express my loving memory with Jeannette Marylin Newton. She was my inspiration and will be always my inspiration. Jeannette Newton and Jack Newton always guided me and my family when we first stepped down our foot in Calgary, Canada as an Immigrant. Every step to my family was challenging. Jeannette and Jack Newton guided us to the Church and build our relationship with almighty GOD. Introduced us with the Church community. I remember their help in interpreting my language in my official appointment. We always get a call and warm hospitality when we feel loneliness. Their presence guided us to the neighborhood of togetherness. The greatest thing I am missing today is the word I get encouraged when I had to go through my troublesome marriage relationship. Jeannette Newton said, “Ganga Maya, this is Canada, this is a great country, in this country women has great opportunity, women can do many great things with the resources available here.” This statement encouraged me to overcome the discrimination I faced. Jeannette and Jack assisted me in the court to settle a new life as single mother with my two sons. They even paid rent to support my living arrangement. In my memory Jeannette Marylin Newton is the one who take the suffrages of other as her own and solve it with the best solution. Jeannette Marylin Newton will be forever in my heart and loving memory.

-Ganga Maya Biswa

Jeannette will be fondly remembered as a grandmother figure who always made me feel welcome in her home. Jeannette and Jack hold dear places in our family’s hearts with many fond memories. Her caring spirit, servant-hearted ness, warm hospitality to all who she came in contact with, and love for her Heavenly Father that shone through her car and love of others. Our thoughts and prayers are with all her family xxx

My deepest condolences to your family. Jeanette and jack were wonderful friends during our teenage years and through the 60’s &70’s.

So many memories with Jeanette & Jack, Ted, and Jerry & Melanie along with their parents. Summers, dating and YFC. I will hold those memories close.

I just want to say thank you Jeanette for giving all of us the opportunity to see what grace and true love of service to God and others around her really is. Jeanette had an ease to her that was always so comforting even if there were challenges she helped us to stay calm and still have a smile . I will miss our talks, our laughs and our the times we sang together. I admired her, I loved her and I will deeply miss her. Goodbye Jeanette and till we meet again in heaven. God bless you and your family! Love you always. Aileen Mike, Marie and Nora

So sorry that Jeannette is no longer with us, but I have the assurance that we will be meeting again, and that is so comforting. Jack and Jeannette were special indeed. I remember with fondness their hospitality to my husband and myself of many occasions. It was always a treat to spend time with them. Jeannette was a wonderful cook, and a true woman of God with a great sense of humour. She loved and served the Lord, even well into her 70's. Praying for comfort for the family in their loss of this special lady.

Laura King

As a sister in law of Jeanette I’ve been richly blessed to have her and family as a part of my life. My heart goes to the family as this loss is so great but we also know that she’s resting in Glory with her parents , parents in law , brothers in law and many dear dear friends. Jeanette I will always cherish you and the positive and happy outlook in life

I have known Jeanette since we were teenagers in the community of Langdon. She and I served in the music ministry in what was then Langdon Baptist Church and I enjoyed her friendship and her wonderful caring personality. She will be remembered as a lovely dedicated Christian lady and will be greatly missed. My condolences to her family and friends.

Doreen Rempel(Bittle)

Jeannette and Jack, Ted and Gerry and family were wonderful friends of mine since the 60's. My deepest sympathy in

this loss of your Mom, Mother-in-law, Grandma or Aunt. It was always a pleasure to meet up with Jeannette and Jack

- always felt like we had just seen each other yesterday - but many years had gone by. May God bless and comfort

each of you Marjorie (Laing) Foster

We have known Jeannette over the years when we was serving with Wycliffe, she will be deeply missed.

May the Lord be your everlasting arms through this time of sorrow and may he give you all peace and comfort in the days ahead.

from Bob & Sheila Lever

Jeannette always had a warm smile and laugh and was so joyful, even when people popped in unannounced at lunchtime. She still had enough food to feed everyone and insisted you stay! What a wonderful mom and grandma - you all must be so very proud of her. She will be missed by many. --the Linton Family

I first met Jeannette in 1993 when my family moved up to Canada to work in the Wycliffe office. She was such a loving person--always so cheerful and kind. I remember how lovingly she watched over Jack in his health struggle. She will be missed greatly by all who knew her. May the Lord comfort her family. --Janet Seever

We will fondly remember Jeannette as an individual with a huge heart that always took time for people. She always welcomed us with a warm hug and genuine conversation. Her strong faith was a testament of how she poured out onto others. Her great sense of humour allowed her to make connections with so many people. Her pies were the talk of the town. Jeannette will be missed dearly!