Farmington, NH

Jean Ann Newton, age 81, of Ridge Road in Farmington, died May 1, 2020, at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Born April 3, 1939 in Rochester, a daughter of Newell J. and Pauline L. (Hartford) Whalen, after surviving polio at age 5, Jean was a fighter and went on to become a fighter for others.  On her way home from school in those early days, most kids would run past the homes of the elderly, afraid of what they didn't understand.  Jean would visit them all!

She later became a social worker at the New Hampshire State Welfare Office in Rochester. Many nights, she brought her work home, determined to help others which numbered, into the thousands, in a relatively short career.  She even helped a young man with jaw cancer receive surgery in Massachusetts, when New Hampshire wouldn't do it.

In 1984, Jean's son Scott was injured in a work accident that left him a quadriplegic.  Once again, she rose to the challenge and became his advocate, primary caregiver, defender and hero.  When she was told he would die if she took him to Colorado for care, she said "You're not God, and, you don't know that!"  When told his life expectancy was ten years, she said "You're not God, and, you don't know that!"  When released from the hospital, she was told that he would be bitter and that she would have trouble with him.  She said "You're not God, and, you don't know that!"

With no regard for her own substantial pains, which gave her nightly cramping throughout her lifetime, she spent countless hours caring for Scott at all hours of the day and night, sometimes all night.  She never took a vacation or days off, but occasionally a few hours to go shopping.  Her selfless care for others even extended to opening her home for others including her brother Barry and sister Candy, to have a comfortable place to live and finish out their lives with all their loved ones.

Survived by her mother Pauline Gardner, her 3 sons:  Bill and wife Sharyn Newton, Dennis and wife Cynthia Newton, Rock Newton and Judy Emerson,  sister Sharon  Cardosi, 7 grandchildren: Ryan, Lauren, Nickolas, Shanell, Haleigh, Matthew and Jenna, also several nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her son Scott Newton, sister Sandra Cardinal, brother Barry Whalen and sister Candace Whalen.

Due to COVID-19, a private graveside service will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery in Farmington, beside her beloved son Scott.

A Celebration of Life will be held later at a date, time and place to be determined and posted on Peaslee Funeral Home website and Facebook.

If desired, memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Cornerstone VNA, 178 Farmington Road, Rochester, NH 03867.

To express condolences, please visit: peasleefuneralhome.com