Shirley Jane Newton

Shirley Jane Newton, age 81, passed away at her home in Carson City, Nevada on Sunday, April 3rd, 2016 due to complications from multiple myeloma. She was born February 16th, 1935 in Doon, Iowa to George and Myrtle (Halverson) Scholten and was the youngest of five children. She graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with a Master’s degree in Organ Performance and Education. On August 19th, 1961 she married Ronald R. Newton. They moved to Lake Tahoe in 1966 and together had two children. Shirley was an organist for several local congregations including St. John’s in the Wilderness Episcopal Church Lake Tahoe, St. Therese Church of the Little Flower Reno, St. Theresa Catholic Church South Lake Tahoe, and Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church South Lake Tahoe. She was also a member of the American Guild of Organists and served as Dean of the local chapter. A beloved Music Educator, she taught for both South Lake Tahoe and Douglas County middle and high schools teaching Chorus, Band, Math and Geography. In 1990, she was awarded “Teacher for the Year” in Douglas County. She was renowned for producing and directing annual school musicals and revues, leaving a love of music to many of her students. She also played jazz piano for a Dixieland group called the “Tahoe Toads” with her husband and was very active in “Lake Tahoe Children’s Theater” in the 1960-70’s. Shirley, a world traveler, accompanied her husband to developing countries and donated her time to Global Healing, a non-profit, non-denominational corporation. Her first love however, were her grandchildren Karrie, Riley and Lauren. She is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, Ron, two children, Sean (Karla) and Cheri, three grandchildren, sister Marguerite, brother Merle “Mick” (Jo) and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother George and sister LG. Shirley requested to be cremated with no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to:

Global Healing

2140 Shattuck Ave. Suite 203

Berkeley, CA 94703

contact@globalhealing.org