Patricia Newland

1930 - 2018

Patricia Newland

Pat Newland was born Patricia Lee Nielsen on April 15, 1930 in The Dalles, Oregon, the third of four children to Alvin and Velma Nielsen. Mom grew up on the family's working cherry ranch, Treaty Oak Orchards, and spent summers picking cherries, peaches and apricots. In her spare time Mom could be found at the The Dalles swimming pool where she learned competitive swimming and diving.

Mom's time at the pool paid off. In 1948, she won the Oregon State girl's diving championship and graduated from The Dalles High School. Although her father wanted her to attend Oregon State University Pat instead moved to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon. She eventually transferred to Pacific University in Forest Grove, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Education.

Mom always loved sports and was a lifelong Oregon Duck fan. Her first job out of college was teaching physical education at a small school in Monmouth, Oregon. Within a few years Pat moved back to Eugene to teach at Springfield High School. It was at this time that Pat was set up on a blind date with DeWayne "Swede" Johnson, who became one of Eugene's most beloved youth coaches and was a member of Oregon's 1948 Cotton Bowl team. Happily, the blind date was a success and on the 4th of July, 1955 Mom and Dad were married. By 1959, Mom and Dad had two children and were living in the North Eugene area. Throughout the following years Dad owned a successful lumber brokerage business and coached multiple youth sports teams. Mom taught swimming and diving lessons at River Road Park and eventually worked as a substitute teacher. Mom and Dad enjoyed many wonderful, adventurous years together. They remained married just one day shy of their 30th wedding anniversary when Dad passed away after his battle with cancer.

Mom filled her time traveling, playing bridge, working in her yard and spending time with family and friends. She attended floral design classes and worked at Reed & Cross Nursery. In the early 1990's Mom met the second love of her life, Robert "Bob" Newland, another beloved coaching icon in the Eugene and Medford communities. Mom and Bob married in July 1994. The wedding was a beautiful affair at the home of Bob's son Bobby Newland, where past North Eugene High School principal and track official Ray Hendrickson performed the ceremony. At the end of Mom and Bob's marriage vows Ray took out a starter pistol, pointed it high in the air and pulled the trigger, sending out an ear-piercing BANG! According to Ray the marriage had officially begun! Mom and Bob loved to travel and spend time with friends and family. Sadly, Bob passed away in 1995 just one short year into their marriage.

Mom remained active throughout the most of her life. She continued to travel and remained close to her family and friends. She never left her cherry ranching roots. She loved working in the yard and growing fresh, colorful flowers. Mom entered assisted living many years ago to help cope with her escalating dementia.

Today, Mom is survived by her son Tim Johnson (named after Tim Preston who set up Pat and Swede on their blind date), Tim's wife Kerrie; daughter Kathy Mantz and her husband Tim Mantz; step-children, Robert "Bobby" Newland and his wife Christie, Candace Newland Holley and husband John Holley, stepson Pete Whitehead, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. Mom was preceded in death by Dad and Bob, her parents, siblings and stepdaughter Carolyn Newland Whitehead. Mom will be greatly missed, but we are comforted by the knowledge that she is now at peace, surrounded by those she loved who left us too soon.

We would like to especially thank the fantastic caregivers at Gateway Gardens, particularly Kim Hester and Brandy Cook. We know they will miss being sung to by Mom.

Mom, I hope you were able to order a gin and tonic to go before you were called upstairs.

A Celebration of Life will be held next Wednesday, August 29, at Hop Valley Brewing Company, 990 W. 1st Ave, Eugene from 4 to 7 pm. Donations in Mom's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Oregon.

Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com