Patricia Parkinson Newman passed away peacefully with her faithful dog “JJ” by her side on January 9, 2019. Patricia, known to family and friends as “Pat” or “Grammy”, was born on May 1, 1937 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Samantha Ruth Von Elm and Bartlett Ross Parkinson. Growing up she loved school, the outdoors, social clubs and time with friends. While attending East High she was a member of student government and the ski team. 

She attended The University of Utah, was active in her sorority Alpha Chi Omega, a member of Mortar Board Honor Society and graduated with honors with a degree in elementary education. 

Pat started dating her future husband, Van Newman and was ceremonially pinned and honored with the coveted “Dream Girl” title of his fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha in 1958. They married in 1960 and had three children. 

She was tender, caring, and selfless. Always placing others before herself and never thinking twice before doing so.

Pat was a member of the Sun Lakes community for the last 20 years and was a cherished pillar in the community. She enjoyed book club, birthday club, her fun and crazy card group and garden club.

She loved animals (especially bunnies and hummingbirds) taking daily walks with her dogs, spending time in her garden, celebrating ALL special occasions, decorating and baking legendary treats for the holidays, reading countless books, filling the room with her infectious laughter and wonderful stories, the best hugs and most of all, being with her friends and family. We will miss her dearly and now have a precious angel watching over us.

Pat is now reunited with her husband Van of 60 years and all of their beloved 4-legged companions.

She’s survived by her three children: Elizabeth Jurinek and her husband Gerhard, Suzanne Berhmann and her husband Toby, and James Newman and his wife Kara. She’ll be forever remembered and cherished by her nine grandchildren: Nicole Matthews (husband Brandon), Michael Jurinek (fiancé Shilpa), Nathan Behrmann (wife Bridgette), Matthew, Megan and Emily Berhmann, and Taylor, Addy and Devin Newman. 

Her celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 1 pm with a reception to follow at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in San Juan Capistrano, CA

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Pat can be sent to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) NICU.