Mary Lee Newton

Mary Lee Newton of Beaverton, Oregon passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2011; she was 84. "Lee" was born September 21, 1927, in Danville, Illinois to Russell and Marie (Clem) Gannon. Lee majored in music in college until she moved to Portland, Oregon in 1946.

Lee was a gifted soloist, director and musical entertainer and beyond in the Portland area for nearly 50 years. Thru her vision, creativity and drive, with 4 children in tow, Lee launched and directed the "Women's Chorus" at Fir Grove school in 1956 while directing the church choir at Bethel Congregational Church as well as participating in the Portland Symphonic Choir. The women's chorus first became the Beaverton B-Notes, then the "Mary Lee Singers" with more than 50 plus members, and took center stage throughout the Pacific Northwest, until the group retired into the late 1970's.

Mary Lee was not done yet. She then launched a new group of musical retirees called the "WOBS", the "Way Off Broadway Singers", and continued directing music and entertaining until 2004, when she retired.

Survivors include daughters, Linda Davis of Hermiston, Oregon and Connie Shelton of Hillsboro, Oregon; sons, Steve Young of Yakima, Washington, Scott Fennern of Hillsboro, Oregon and Michael Fennern of Cornville, Arizona; she had many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary Lee was preceded in death by her husband Delbert Newton; he died November 4, 2011.

Mary Lee's life was full of love for music, family, friends and humor. She will be missed by all of the people whose lives she touched.

Funeral service will be January 3, 2012 at 2:00 at Pegg, Paxson, & Springer Chapel in Beaverton, followed by Celebration of Life, later in 2012, for both Del and Mary Lee.

Private burial will be with her husband Del at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.

Arrangements under the direction of Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel, Beaverton, OR.