Margaret Butler NEWTON

1922 - 2016

NEWTON, Margaret Butler who her friends and family referred to as Peggy died peacefully in the early morning of May 23, 2016 in her home in Tucson, AZ. Peggy was 93. She is survived by her son, Whitney Newton and her two granddaughters, Frances Newton Stacy and Emma Anne Newton. Peggy was born on August 20, 1922 in Stanford, Connecticut to Clifford Leroy Butler and Ethel Margaret Williams Butler. She had a half-sister, Elizabeth Butler Ritter; a sister, Dorothy Louise Butler Calhoun known as Dotty, and a brother, Clifford Leroy Butler, Jr., known as Lee. They spent the bulk of their Idyllic childhood playing "kick the can" and "hide and seek" in the streets of their neighborhood in Wilmette, Illinois. Peggy's lineage included her maternal grandfather, John Williams, who was the Secretary of Labor for the State of New York under Governor Roosevelt. After Peggy attended Miami of Ohio, she entered the United States Marine Corps. She became a Marine on November 10, 1943 and served until her Honorable Discharge as a Corporal on December 6, 1945. Peggy then moved to Denver, Colorado where she met her Naval Officer husband, Whitney Newton II. Whitney graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a chemical engineer. He went on to lead research and development teams at Great Western and Holly Sugar Companies. Peggy and Whitney married December 16, 1950. Peggy's only son, Whitney Newton, Jr. was born on May 10, 1953. Whitney and Peggy enjoyed the social scene in Denver as Whitney's family held a prominent presence in Denver. Whitney's grandfather, Whitney Newton, was founder of the Newton Lumber Company and was once the Treasurer of the State of Colorado. Whitney's mother, Frances Robinson Newton, was a well-known philanthropist. One of her notable contributions was to Colorado Academy, which helped it reach its legacy today as a prestigious preparatory academy. Peggy's passion and knack for business was exemplified when she bought into a travel agency in 1974. She was very proud that her successful management contributed to the success of what is known today as Cherry Creek Travel in Denver. At the age of 64, Peggy started raising her two granddaughters then aged 6 and 4, Frances Lynn Newton and Emma Anne Newton. This became the joy of her later life and she commonly remarked how these two vibrant ladies kept her young. Her other great joys were golf, the stock market and feeding her red cardinals in Tucson. Peggy often spoke of her admiration of the philanthropic interests of her mother-in-law, Frances Robinson Newton. Peggy herself was very generous and made many contributions to various causes throughout her lifetime. Her generosity was one of her greatest joys and the ability to give was what drove her success as an investor. She continued to use her uncanny stock market acumen until she was 91. She had a sharp and accurate instinct and she was incredibly proud of her success with her investments. Peggy had an unrelenting self-confidence and she held firm to her beliefs and way of life. She lived life on her own terms and inspired others by her rare combination of determination and generosity. She was always keen to help others improve their lives. She will be greatly missed by the friends and family that she guided and loved. On October 25th, Peggy's ashes will be laid next to her husband's at the Newton family plot at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver with her immediate family in attendance. As a marine, Peggy will receive Military Honors. Arrangements by VISTOSO FUNERAL HOME.