Elizabeth Ann Hodgman Newton

Reverend “Betsy” Elizabeth Ann Hodgman Newton of Gardner, MA was born in Boston, MA. Her parents were Victoria Hodgman and Wesley Hodgman. She grew up in Philadelphia, PA and Williston Park, NY with her brothers Parker Hodgman (deceased) and John Hodgman (Carol Hodgman) of Fairfield, VA. In 1951 she graduated from Roslyn High School of Roslyn Heights, NY. She married Avery Eliot Newton on March 15, 1952 and they were married 66 years until his passing two years ago. After moving to Gardner, she worked as a waitress at Duke’s Hilltop on Route 140; was an Avon Lady reaching the position of District Manager; clerked at Beaconway Fabrics in Timpany Plaza; was an astrologer, tarot card reader, psychic, medium, healer who was heard on local radio and seen on TV while working at malls throughout New England, NY, NJ, and PA; on November 2, 1997 she was ordained as a Spiritualist Minister and served at the Church in the Wyldewood in Templeton and other local churches. Betsy was both a Cub Scout Leader and Girl Scout Leader; Simplex Drum Corps chaperone; attended Mount Wachusett Community College as an adult learner. Her hobbies included: knitting, cross-stitching, genealogy, playing cribbage and Apples-to-Apples, diagraming sentences, doing cross-word puzzles, and was an avid reader with a large collection of books. She enjoyed live theater, lectures, shopping, museums, book stores, craft stores, flea markets, cats, and attending flower shows. A traveling fan, her favorite trip was to Alaska; but Martha’s Vineyard family vacations she found soul-soothing. Other family members are her children: Floyd Newton (Margit Newton) of Gardner, MA; Wesley Newton (deceased); Joanne Beckman (Eric Beckman) of Pittsburgh, PA; A. Fay Newton (Lisa Szymakowski) of Templeton, MA; Ginny Newton (Steve Lorenz) of Erving, MA. Grandchildren: Duncan Newton-Gaines (Bailey Craig) of Turners Falls, MA; Jordan Avery Newton (Ray Mendel) of Greenfield, MA; Ariane Beckman (Andrew Castle) of Denver, CO; Austen Beckman of Las Vegas, NV; Christian Newton of Gardner, MA; Brandon Newton of Gardner, MA; and Violet Mitchell of Templeton, MA. There will be no visiting hours. A memorial service will be announced and held at a future date. She will be buried at Green Bower Cemetery in South Gardner beside her husband. Should family or friends desire to remember her, please make memorial contributions in Betsy Newton’s name to a charity of your choice.