Karyl Newton, 76, passed away Saturday, Aug. 12, at St. Charles Hospital in Bend. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Methodist Church in John Day. An informal reception will follow, where people are invited to speak in remembrance.

Newton was born on May 10, 1941, in Fennimore, Wisconsin, to William and Ellen Sanford. Early in Newton’s life, her mother married Gene McCauley, who became “dad” to Newton.

She married Wayne Cook on May 31, 1958. The couple, with their six children, moved to John Day in 1972. They were divorced in 1978.

In 1983, she married Ed Newton, shortly after they had moved to the Southworth Ranch near Seneca. They remained on the ranch until her death.

Her hobbies were crossword puzzles, playing board games with family, bowling and crocheting. She enjoyed using the moniker “the Afghan Elf” to anonymously give afghans to someone having a hard time due to illness or loss, particularly breast cancer patients. She would also provide Blue Mountain Hospital with afghans for them to distribute to newborns. One year, she crocheted a winter hat for every student at Seneca school.

Newton was preceded in death by brothers Loren Sanford and Monte Sanford and grandchild Kimberly Allen.

She is survived by husband, Ed; children Taya (Rod) Allen, Tambra (Rod) Stoltenberg, Loren Cook, Tawny (Perry) Morris, Lance (Kim) Cook, Layne (Emily) Cook and Dean (Melissa) Newton; sisters Dene Rogers and Pam Lewis; brother Billy Sanford; 22 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Healthcare Foundation in care of Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.