Darlene Gale Newton

BLANDFORD - Darlene Gale Newton, formerly Demarest (née Kripps), passed away at her home on Nov. 8 at the age of 86.

Darlene was born in Madison, Wis., on June 21, 1939 - the summer solstice - the daughter of Caroline Hanson (later O'Malley) and George W. Kripps. She was a warm, openhearted person with a great sense of humor and a beautiful singing voice.

She attended St. Olaf College before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied journalism and home economics. Later, she studied massage therapy and worked for many years in private practice and elsewhere in the Berkshires.

As a young woman, Darlene married Richard Hiam, with whom she had six children, settling in Pittsfield, where Richard, an engineer, was employed at GE. She later married Bruce Demarest and moved to Becket, into a National Register home, the Snow-Bennett House, that she and Bruce cherished for nearly forty years. The house, property, and its lake beach became a center of family life - hosting celebrations, holidays, and summers with grandchildren - and a place filled with Darlene's cooking, laughter, and warmth.

In later years, Darlene married Mark Newton and lived with him in Blandford with their beloved German Shepherds.

She is survived by her husband Mark; children Stephanie Mayer, Peter Hiam, Teresa Hiam, Matthew Hiam (Noriko), and Juliane Hiam (Gregory Crewdson); stepdaughters Amy Austin (Paul) and Karen Wilhoite; brother Dale Kripps (Nancy); nephews Ben Kripps (Karen) and Alex Kripps (Jen); grandchildren Joshua Sumosky (Amanda), Blaine Sumosky, Elijah Acheson, Sarena Acheson, Mio Hiam, Harper Glantz, Jack Glantz, Isaac Scribner, and David Scribner; step-grandchildren Emily Austin (Jesse Swatling-Holcomb) and Kevin Austin (Garrett Rose); great-grandchildren Jude, Ana, and Jensen Sumosky; great-niece Grace Kripps, her first husband Richard and his partner Nancy Eppley, her many loved ones in Wolcott, NY, and so many others she thought of as extended family.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Bruce, and her daughter Beth Hiam.