Colleen Marie Roche Newman
September 10, 1937 - January 14, 2023
Colleen Marie Roche Newman (also known by most as Mickey) finally agreed that her work on earth was done, and passed away peacefully on January 14, 2023, in Smithfield, Utah.
Colleen was born on a warm September day in 1937, in Thatcher, Utah, making her the thirteenth child born at home to Alan and Alice Roche. Now the day of her birth could be the 9th or the 10th? Birth certificate is recorded as the 10th, but on her parent’s headstone it is engraved as the 9th, baptism certificate is written as the 10th, temple recommend shows the 9th. In Alice’s journal she states that right after giving birth to Connie (the sister just younger than Colleen) she walked out to milk the cow. Needless to say, I think births were just another day in the BIG Roche family.
It was because of some “loving” siblings and close friends who pointed out Colleen’s big Mickey Mouse ears that she was then called and answered to as, Mickey.
She was a happy young farm girl that learned to work hard at a very young age. Mickey also led by example; gardening and canning, sewing and mending, feeding and working cattle, tending small children, cooking for her large family and continually proving she could outwork her older brothers! There was never a job too large or too small that she would not tackle.
At only 14-years old, Mickey fell in love with Duane Newman. He was a handsome local farm boy, that had returned home from serving an LDS mission. On June 16, 1952, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. She was a busy wife and soon raising three children – Rodney H, Tena Marie and MaryAnn, but still tried to sneak in a night at the bowling alley when she could. Sadly, when MaryAnn was only 2-years old, she got pneumonia and passed away. Mickey was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and with this faith, she believed and knew she would see MaryAnn again.
Life took Mickey and Duane to Rexburg Idaho, where she spent 30-plus years working alongside Dr. Lane Ward in his dental office. She was loyal, well known and admired in her community. Her talents and time helped others as she donated many quilts to Humanitarian Aid. But not before she had completed a blanket for each of her 12 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren. Mickey also kept a close relationship with her sisters. These classy ladies had the Diet Coke stocked and "BS'd" while they sewed for hours, canned for days, and packaged homemade Christmas candy for their families.
After retiring, Mickey and Duane hooked up their travel trailer, put on their square-dancing shoes and traveled to various competitions. After seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore, and many National Parks, they made their next home in St. George, Utah. Mickey loved when family came to visit and made sure they all had full bellies when they left. She instilled strong core values in her family that have served us all well.
We will cherish the memories of her dust free home, her red lipstick kisses and the cup of green tea in the microwave. But how lucky is her husband Duane, her daughter MaryAnn, a son-in-law Jeff, a grandson Benjamin and two great granddaughters to be in her presence now?!
Please join us for our sweet, Colleen’s funeral on Monday, January 23, 2023, at 11 a.m. with a viewing prior from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Bothwell LDS church, 10350 W. 11600 N., in Bothwell, Utah. Interment at the Valley View Bothwell Cemetery.
Funeral services will be livestreamed on the link below.