The death of Leona Violet (McLaughlin) Newton, age 93, of Sussex, NB , wife of the late Walter R. Newton, occurred at the Kiwanis Nursing Home, Sussex, on Friday, October 21, 2011. She was born on February 10, 1918, in Norton, NB, and raised on Dickie Mountain, the daughter of the late Sherman and Mabel (Pierce) McLaughlin. Leona is survived by her children Sterling Mercer (Sandra) of Petawawa, ON, Roy Mercer (Mary) of Sussex, the twins, Frances Cunningham (Winsor) of Belleisle Creek, NB and Frank Mercer of Edmonton, AB, Nancy Mabee (Charlie) of Beaverton, ON, Sarah Nesbitt (Larry) of Scarborough, ON; grandchildren Shawn Mercer (Alice), Lee Mercer (Marilyn), Lisa Mercer (Jeff), Cindy Boyd (Andrew), Kim Fulford (Brad), Diana Mabee (Jake), Walter Nesbitt; 17 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two grandchildren Bill and Wayne Mabee; her sisters Viola Long Smith, Bernice Coughlin, Iva McLaughlin and Lois Copeman and brother Ora McLaughlin. Like all of the McLaughlin children, Leona was proud of growing up on Dickie Mountain. She loved to tell the stories about walking back and forth to school in Norton, seeing bears, visiting the lady that smoked a corn cob pipe and hid it behind her back when the kids came by, but the smoke would still curl up over her head. There were many stories about Gen, the horse, who if she got the chance would come home alone from Norton leaving whoever was driving to walk back. Often the girls would take Gen and head back to pick up their Mom and Dad. Around 1952 Leona and her brood of six moved to Riverbank/Norton and remained there for five years. They were lean times however they were good times. Family and friends offered the assistance required and there was always a meal for anyone who came by. Leona was quite home bound except for work in Sussex. After marriage to Walter and the children were grown up, they moved to Saint John where Walter worked for the USA Consulate. From there they accepted transfers to Halifax and later Ottawa. So many moves gave Leona a travel bug which saw her visit Germany, most of Canada and Northern USA. When the Newton’s retired they moved from Ottawa to Belleisle Creek and then to Sussex where they attended Trinity Anglican Church and enjoyed the friendship of the church family. Leona loved to cook and there was always a cookie and a cup of tea for anyone that could sit a spell. She loved to dance if there was a good tune playing and even in her last months when she heard the music you would see her toe tapping. She is resting at Sherwood's Funeral Home and Life Tribute Centre (506-839-2156), 18 Scovil Road, Norton, NB, with visiting from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday. Funeral Service, conducted by The Venerable David Barrett, will be held from Sherwood's Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. Following cremation interment will be in Riverbank Cemetery. Donations in memory of Leona, may be made to Kiwanis Nursing Home or to the memorial of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family may be made through www.sherwoodsfuneralhome.com