Margaret A. Newill

Margaret A. "Peg" Newill, 84, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2010 at Altercare of Canal Winchester, Ohio. Prior to being admitted to Altercare, she resided in Miamisburg, Ohio. Peg was born in Bingham, Maine to Maurice and Barbara Alkins. After graduating from Boston College with a BS in Physical Therapy, she moved to Dayton to work with polio patients at Miami Valley Hospital. She attended Westminister Presbyterian Church and participated in social programs where she met her husband, William J. Newill. They were married Sept. 7, 1949. Continuing her education, at the age of 45, she earned her MS in Rehabilitation and Personal Guidance from Wright State University. She worked for United Cerebral Palsy and the Dayton School System for many years and was honored to be the first non medical doctor recipient of the Harold F. Hilty Humanitarian Award in recognition of unselfish and devoted service. Peg was very active in numerous community, horticultural and church organizations. She held an amateur radio license – W8NDY - for over 50 years. She was a member of the Washington Township PTA players and enjoyed acting and music. She is a 25+ year member and past President of the Centerville Garden Club and also Past President of the Country Corner Garden Club. She was President of Garden Club of Ohio and was honored with the Mildred Heter Buckingham Award for service to Garden Club of Ohio. She also served as the President of the Ohio Judges Council and the American Daffodil Society. A Master Judge and accomplished lecturer, Peg was in demand across America as a nationally accredited Flower Show school and symposium instructor. A leading member of numerous other flower societies, she served on the National Council of State Garden Clubs Board and was a Consulting Rosarian for the Buckeye District of the American Rose Society. Her personal focus included roses, violets, daffodils, and horticulture. Her state and national awards for her work are numerous. Peg's faith life was centered in her involvement at Fairmont Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon, on numerous ministry teams, and was actively involved in the Women of Fairmont 'Circles of Unity'. She served the local chapter of PEO as President and as chairperson for various committees. Her greatest achievements were as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Through her enthusiasm and inspiration, she taught her children and grandchildren that they could do anything they set their minds to. Survivors include her husband, William J. "Bill" Newill; her children: David (Sharon) Newill, Edward Newill and Barbara (The Rev. Dr. Emil) Klatt; and her grandchildren: Mark Newill, Elizabeth Newill, Matthew Newill, Megan & Derrick Dehart, Emily & Kyle Murray, Marcella Newill, Elizabeth Klatt and Margaret & Eric Thorpe; her brother, The Rev. David S.(Joan) Alkins and cousin, Thomas H. (Colleen) Reynolds. A memorial service for Margaret A. Newill will be held at 11:00 a.m. (with a fellowship meal to follow) on August 7, 2010 at Fairmont Presbyterian Church, 3705 Far Hills Ave., Kettering, OH, 45429. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to Fairmont Presbyterian Church; The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship c/o the Executive Office Treasurer's Dept., 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312; or The Garden Club of Ohio Scholarship Fund, c/o Marie Modugno, 454 Notre Dame Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. You may visit her on-line memorial at www.margaretnewill.virtual-memorials.com. In loving memory of Mom...Peg...Peggy...Margie...Granny. She was a remarkable lady that lived a life that was full of family, friends and significant contributions of her time and efforts to the community. Mom had an enthusiastic and optimistic outlook on life that was infectious. If you are visiting this site then you knew our Mom. And, you know what we are talking about. You would walk away from a conversation with my Mom feeling good. Or...you might have walked away thinking "How did I get talked into that?" She was also very persuasive. If there was a challenging situation at hand, she would figure out a way to overcome it. If you needed a pep talk, she would sense this and become a cheerleader. If you needed advice or counsel, she was there for you. And....if you needed advice or counsel and didn't know you needed it...she would figure out a positive way to influence you....for your own good. Mom always looked for the "win-win". And, all of this was delivered with a beautiful smile, a laugh and a big hug. Mom had a big heart and the generous capacity to spread this heart and her interests in many directions. All of us have been a recipient of her heart. She spread a lot of love around. We helped write her obituary. In doing so, we were reminded of how active she was in so many things. She was a natural leader. In most cases, she ended up being a President of the organizations she was involved in. Personally, we don't know how she fit all of this into her life. She was amazing. Her strong values were evident in everything she did. Just imagine what the world would be like if everyone lived life as she did. The world would be a different place...that is for sure. Of course, there would be a lot less need, a lot more education and definitely -- there would be a lot more flowers! Please sign Peg's guest book and leave a message for her and story about her. Mom...we miss you dearly. You will always be in our hearts. Love to all, Dave, Barbara and Ted