June Newton Bennett

Obituary JUNE NEWTON BENNETT It was never on June Newton Bennett's bucket list to die. She simply wouldn't have it. And she even said so in a handwritten draft of her life's story. The last line read, "She never died!" Her body had a different idea, and on August 10th June died of renal failure. Even though the body tired, her spirit never did, and she lives forever in the hearts of her loved ones. June Elaine Newton was born in Windsor, Colorado on June 17, 1926. The first child of Art and Irma Newton. She was later joined by siblings Jane Ellen and Arthur Arnaud, Jr. (Arnie). After attending elementary and junior high schools in Brush, Idaho Springs, and Fort Collins, June graduated from Fort Collins High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art from the University of Denver and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1948. During her tenure at DU, she served as president of her sorority, Pi Beta Phi and was awarded the title "Miss Scholarship" by the University. She also served on the Mortar Board. June completed a Master's Degree in Interior Design from Colorado State University, and worked at her passions in interior design and water color painting until her eyesight failed in recent years. World War II was over and young soldiers were coming home. June reconnected with handsome, charming Tom Bennett, her high school sweetheart. Love and romance rekindled, and the two married on August 14, 1948. Theirs was a forever kind of love, lasting until (and beyond) Tom's death in 2004. While Tom attended dental school at Northwestern University in Chicago, June worked as the private secretary of Northwestern's dean of Education. Truth be told, the dean worked for her because she was the one who knew what was going on and he just followed whatever direction she gave him. But she never let on that she was the boss. That's just the way it was in those days, and June was too much of a lady to let him think otherwise. After Tom graduated, he and June returned to and settled in Fort Collins, where they lived for the rest of their lives. They had two daughters, Polly Alison Bennett and Soo Jane Bennett, both of whom live in Fort Collins. Never one to be idle, June started the historic preservation movement in Fort Collins, and with Tom, founded the Poudre Landmarks Foundation. It began with over a decade of devoted work culminating in the restoration and preservation of the Avery House, and having CSU's Old Main added to the National Historic Register prior to its demise. The rest is, well, history. June is survived by her daughters Polly and Soo, grandchildren Melissa Wissing Groom (Anton) of Bentonville, AR; Aubrey Mallory Heuerman (Mike) of Johnstown, CO; Drew Bennett Mallory of Doha, Qatar; Mitchell Bennett Mallory (Caitlyn) of Lehi, UT; Alexandra Mallory Edwards (Austin) of Pleasant Grove, UT; great grandchildren Kieran Groom, Cole Groom, Aysa Heuerman, Jono Heuerman, and Jude Heuerman, dearly loved nieces and nephews, and her two adored sisters-in-law, Bev Newton of Fort Collins and Vonnie Bennett of St. Petersburg, FL. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Tom; sister, Jane Newton Perry; brother, Arnie Newton; brothers-in-law Robertson Loomis Bennett; Colonel Willard Magnus Bennett; and sister-in-law, Sarah Ling Bennett. June touched many lives and many hearts. She will be missed, although she isn't really gone: She will never be gone as long as her love and legacy live on in the hearts of others. Private memorial at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please support Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Read More Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of June Newton Bennett