Della M. Newman, a prominent businesswoman and our 17th U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, passed away on July 11, 2023, in her home in Bow, Washington in the presence of her loving family. Della’s was a life well lived. Born in Seattle on June 6, 1932, she attended Garfield High School and the University of Washington. After school, she engaged in numerous successful business ventures, including owning and serving as president of Village Real Estate, Inc. and a term as president of Executive Women International.
A close personal friend of George HW (41) and Barbara Bush, Della was actively involved in politics on both the national and state levels, including serving as a Washington state delegate to the Republican National Conventions (1980, 1988), chair of the Washington State George Bush for President organizations (1980, 1988), and manager of numerous local campaigns. She also served on the TVW and Washington Institute for Policy Studies boards.
Shortly after his election in 1988, President Bush asked Della to serve as our ambassador to New Zealand. After her nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Ambassador Newman flew to Auckland, where she was personally greeted at the airport by the then Prime Minister, Jim Bolger. She served with distinction until December 1992.
Above all else, though, Della loved her family. We are so happy now that she is once again with her beloved husband, Wells McCurdy (1919-1998). She leaves behind her daughter, Gretchen MacDonald; son, Ted Newman; and grandchildren, Andrea, Barret, and great grandson, Waylen.
The family has requested that any remembrances be made to Hospice of the Northwest, 227 Freeway Dr Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
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