NEWMAN, Colleen Joan

Yuma Sun, Yuma, Arizona - Published in The Yuma Sun on Jan. 7, 2014 - Colleen Newman left us on Thursday, January 2, 2014 and is at eternal rest with our Lord and Savior. She was born in Minnesota on February 13, 1935, graduated from Central High in Sioux City, Iowa in 1953, and moved to Arizona soon after. She was married to C.C. "Pat" Newman until his death in 1996. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Rose Parks, and her brother Ron Parks. She is survived by son Douglas of Tucson, twin sister Kettie Parks of Yuma, sister-in-law Ann Parks of Minnesota; and 11 nieces and nephews. Her son had a jacket made depicting things important to her life: religion, family, community, politics, and a love of flowers, birds and animals. She was a devoted and active member of the Catholic Church, serving on the church board and school council at Immaculate Conception Church ("I.C."). Colleen volunteered with the first Yuma auxiliary at the old Yuma County Hospital, at Desert Manor, and at Parkview Hospital, now YRMC. She later served for 12 years on the YRMC board of directors. She was a founder and life-long member of the Ladies of the Elks. Colleen's first career as a legal secretary included working for Justice William Rehnquist prior to his appointment to the United States Supreme Court, followed by many years with Ingraham, Dennis & Moody. She was a founder and chairman of the Yuma County Legal Secretaries Association. She was president of the Demo Women's Club in the 60s and chairman of the Yuma County Democrats in the 70s. She was Yuma County chairman for the election of Senator Dennis DeConcini in 1976, 1982, and 1988. She was the first woman from Yuma to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, which she attended in 1976 and 1980. Colleen went into real estate in 1978 and opened Colleen Newman Realty in 1981. She later purchased RE/MAX franchises in Yuma and in the Foothills. She sold her offices in 2003 but continued to work part time and mentor agents. She was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Yuma Board of Realtors and received several million-dollar awards. Colleen was a founder and board member of Yuma Title and Trust, and a founder and board member of the Southern Arizona Bank until its sale to National Bank of Arizona. Colleen was a board member of 1st Bank Yuma until her death. A wake will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 with the rosary at 7:00 p.m., and a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 505 S Avenue B, Yuma. Honorary pall bearers: 1st Bank Yuma Board of Directors and Cathy Owl. Special thanks to Bonnie and Kathy of Hospice Compassus. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Colleen's name to the Humane Society of Yuma or St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o I.C. ________________________________ Yuma Sun, Yuma, Arizona - Published in The Yuma Sun from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8, 2014 - Colleen Joan Newman, 78, died Jan. 2, 2014, at her Yuma home. Born Feb. 13, 1935, in Tyler, Minn., she was a real estate broker. A wake will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Private cremation will follow services. Johnson Mortuary is handling arrangements.