Jan. 28, 1934 — July 22, 2024
Zelma “LaRae” Newby, 90, passed away in her home on July 22, 2024, with her loving husband of 70 years by her side.
She was born on Jan. 28, 1934, to Venice Vest and Clement L. Ercanbrack. She grew up in a loving home with four sisters LaVern, JoAnn, Lynda, Shirlene and one brother Clint.
She was born in Mona, Utah, in the home of her Aunt Zelma, hence the namesake. She attended school in Lindon and her junior and senior high education was at Lincoln High School in Orem.
She married Floyd L. Newby on Nov. 4, 1954, in the Salt Lake Temple. She attended Brigham Young University in Provo and Santa Fe Junior College in Gainesville, Florida to improve her secretarial and administrative skills.
While her husband pursued his education, she worked at several different companies including Consolidated Western Steel, Thiokol Chemical Company, an architect firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan and at the University of Maine as a secretary and administrative assistant.
During their marriage they were blessed with four children. Throughout their marriage they moved across the country nine times; Utah, Michigan, Florida, California, Virginia, Idaho, Maine and finally back to Utah where they retired in St George in 1996.
She was able to travel around the world with her husband and visit many National Parks and historical sites across the United States and Canada. In retirement she continued taking trips to special places with her husband.
She was a prolific and gifted quilter who shared her many projects with friends and family. Making and altering clothing was also a favorite activity. She also enjoyed attending a broad array of theatrical productions and movies. However, her greatest joy in life was her family.
She was a quiet unassuming gentle woman with a dry sense of humor that made her family laugh. She was often heard singing. When she was no longer able to articulate her words, she would hum her favorite hymns. Never one to complain, she endured many challenges including cancer and Parkinson’s disease with unparalleled grace.
Zelma was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life, serving in all the auxiliaries of both ward and stake callings of the church. She served a mission in Arcadia, California, with her husband from 2000-2001. She and her husband also served as Family History and Daily Dose missionaries. She also served many years as an ordinance worker in the St. George Temple.
She is survived by her husband, Floyd L. Newby and children: Brad Newby (Gay), St. George, Utah; Jalayne, Stanwood, Washington; Trenna Hillyard (Ned), Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Flete Newby (Gina), Carl Junction, Missouri; in addition to 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Shirlene Olsen, brother Clint Ercanbrack (Carol), and brother-in-law Eugene. She was preceded in death by her sisters Lavern, JoAnn, and Lynda.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude for the many prayers, thoughts, and support of family and friends. We also extend our sincere thanks for the love and care rendered to her by the volunteers and caregivers at Applegate Hospice.