Kathleen Parker Newton

Kathleen Parker Newton died November 13, 2022, in Kansas City, Missouri, at age 68 of causes incident to pulmonary fibrosis.

Kathleen was born January 11, 1954, to Barbara Jean Gunn and Edward William Parker in Salt Lake City, Utah. She adored her parents and was a delightful blend of both-optimistic and musical like her mother, witty and skillful with words like her father. She had an idyllic childhood in which she, her sister Diane, and friends waded in streams, climbed trees, and explored the neighborhood. She lived and breathed everything Highland High School, where her father was the principal. She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in child and family development.

Two days after graduation, Kathleen met Paul Newton in the Mormon Youth Chorus. She and Paul married on September 21, 1976, in the Salt Lake Temple. Their union was blessed with five children-Samuel (Honey), Jessica Pace (Tim), Daniel (Jedda), Amanda Halford (Clint), and Nicole Durtschi (Devin)-and 26 grandchildren. She also embraced foreign exchange student Andreas Kipp as one of her own. Kathleen devoted herself to her children, delighted in her grandchildren, and loved each as only a mother and nana could.

As her children grew, Kathleen obtained a degree in music from Weber State University. She then obtained her third degree, a master's in music with an emphasis in composition from Brigham Young University. After graduation, she taught music as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College, where she engaged students with her endearing energy and enthusiasm.

Kathleen was a gifted musician. She had an ocean of music in her and simply could not keep from singing. During her college years, she sang in A Capella and Chamber Choir at the U. and in the Mormon Youth Chorus. As a young mother, she sang with the Utah Symphony Chorus before moving to Oklahoma, where Paul attended law school. After returning to Utah, she joined the Tabernacle Choir, continuing the legacy shared with her sister Laurel, mother, aunt Lou, grandma Gunn, and great-grandma Ensign. She sang with the choir for 18 years. Her heart was drawn to folk songs of the British Isles, which made performing with The King's Singers a personal highlight. Like her mother, she instilled a love of music in her children, and her Tabernacle Choir years with Sam and Jessica were especially meaningful. After retiring from the choir, she redirected her alto voice into the viola and joined the American Fork Symphony.

Kathleen lived an active lifestyle and was optimistic, spontaneous, and adventurous. Whether it was a picnic in the canyon, weekend at the cabin or condo, or holiday gathering, Kathleen thought life should be enjoyed and was always on the lookout to make memories as a family. She was a champion of healthy living and completed three triathlons in her 50s. As her health declined, she worked tirelessly to maintain her strength and stamina. Even as physical limitations restricted her, she always looked on the bright side of things and sang to stay upbeat and hopeful.

Kathleen's influence for good has been felt wherever she lived-Salt Lake City, West Jordan, Springville, Tulsa, Bountiful, Lindon, Mapleton, and Kansas City. In each location, she served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her commitment to the Savior is reflected in the hymn she penned: 

I've set my path to serve Thee wherever Thou would ask.
It matters not how hard the road, how difficult the task.
I may not pass through lands I know, but still my steps are sure.
I only seek to do Thy will and with Thee I'm secure.
I may give up the glories men heap upon their own.
Perhaps amid their cries of scorn, I'll seem to walk alone.
Yet heedless I will still press on, the rod clasped in my hand.
I'll plod through mists but never doubt, until I understand.
So many of Thy children are lost and cannot see.
With arms outstretched I'll beckon them to come and walk with me.
Together we will mark the path that leads unto Thy throne.
Until at last with shouts of joy, we all are welcomed home.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her parents and survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings-E. William (Ruth Ann), Laurel Rohlfing (Thomas), Diane Zuk (Jeffery), Marilyn Clark (Warren), and Allison Dunlap (Rob)-and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1068 South 1600 West, Mapleton, Utah. A viewing will be held Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah and Tuesday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services.  Interment will be at the Mapleton Cemetery. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.