Geraldine D. Newman passed away peacefully at her home on July 18, 2011, with her loving family by her side. She had suffered a massive stroke on Tuesday, July 12, and even though hospitalized on her 88th birthday, she managed to rally for a short while, opening her eyes and smiling while her family filled the room and sang “Happy Birthday.”

Born in Seattle in 1923 to Carl E. and N. Beulah Henskey, she moved to South Whidbey in 1951 when she married Harold C. Newman of Langley. Together they operated a dairy farm on Newman Road until 1980 when Harold retired. They were married for 48 years at the time of Harold’s death in 1999.

After a 35-year career at Whidbey Telephone Company, Mrs. Newman retired in 2000. First employed as a bookkeeping assistant, she advanced to become supervisor of the billing department and corporate secretary. She loved her job and was grateful for her years at Whidbey Tel and the many friends she made there.

But the true love of her life was her family. A devoted wife, mother, and daughter, loving grandmother, loyal sister, and favorite aunt she always had a warm, welcoming hug and a graciousness that endeared family and friends to her. She will be missed beyond measure by her four children, Robert (Ann Burt) of Gold Bar, Debbie (Norm Whipple) of Redmond, Vickie Blakey (Keith), and Mike (Pam) both of Freeland; her sister, Adrianne Tollefsen of Seattle; and 14 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two nephews and one niece.

The Newman family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Whidbey General Hospital for their professionalism and many kindnesses, as well as to Dr. Lee Roof whose compassionate care over the last 25 years made him mom’s favorite physician. In lieu of flowers, donations to Children’s Hospital in Seattle or Home Health Care & Hospice of Whidbey General are suggested.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday,

July 23 at Bayview Cemetery.