Arline E. Newman

With deep sadness we announce the death of our beloved mother Arline E. Newman, age 102, of Needham, MA, who passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, with her family at her side.

Arline was born in Chicago on November 5, 1923, to her late parents John and Sylvia (Kubin) Barovitch. She was predeceased by her husband, Leo A. Newman. She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Lynn Newman (Vernon Rhoden), Lake Zurich, IL; daughter, Lee Newman (late son-in-law John M. Fox), Concord, MA; daughter, Diane German (late son-in-law Arthur German), Chicago, Il; and her sister, Violet Wittendorf (late brother-in-law George Wittendorf), Naperville, Il. She also leaves behind a nephew, nieces and many special friends.

Arline graduated from Kelly High School (IL) in 1941. Following graduation, she spent several years working as a legal secretary at a Chicago law firm specializing in patent law.

It was at the Aragon Ballroom on Chicago’s north side that Arline met her future husband Leo Newman when he asked her to step onto the dance floor. Though initially reluctant to accept his offer to dance, her acceptance changed the course of her life. They married in January of 1950, at which time she moved to his hometown of South Bend, IN where he had an automobile business. Following the move, together they started a family. They shared many happy years together until Leo’s death in 1980. When Arline’s youngest daughter left for college, Arline accepted an administrative position with the Associates Investment Company which she held for several years. Arline was a resident of South Bend, IN for over 66 years before moving to Massachusetts to be close to her daughter Lee, where she resided at North Hill Retirement Community in Needham, MA for 10 years.

Arline showed an unwavering devotion to her family. Her greatest joy and love came from being a mother and celebrating her children's achievements and happiness. She welcomed the opportunity to guide her children through life's challenges, offering timeless advice with wisdom and love. Her home was the gathering place on holidays. Hosting the holiday get together for family and friends was particularly important to Arline. She believed the holidays deserved a sense of grandeur. Dinner was never just a meal; it was a choreographed event. She took immense pride in the formal setting, believing that a beautiful table honored the family sitting around it.

Arline fully appreciated the fine arts – music and paintings. She had an inherent talent for all things design related. She expressed her appreciation and demonstrated her talent through interior decorating, landscape design, and fashion. The expression of this talent was realized in the context of her home and its associated landscape environment and the design advice she so generously provided to family and friends. She believed that a beautiful environment nurtured the soul.

She was also an avid collector of antiques, a passion that she shared with her dear friend Martha. She did not collect antiques for the sake of antiquity alone, but for their aesthetic beauty. In addition to her love of the arts and antiques, Arline loved to cook and bake. For her, a cookbook wasn’t just a reference; it was an invitation to an adventure. She took particular interest in baking items reflective of her bohemian heritage.

Arline’s loving nature was felt by everyone. Her green eyes captured your heart. Her smile, always genuine and infectious, could light up even the darkest of rooms. Arline will be deeply missed but never forgotten, as her spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were privileged to know her.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at North Hill for their compassionate care during Arline’s residence. Their kindness and dedication were always appreciated and will never be forgotten.

A memorial service celebrating Arline’s life will be held in South Bend, IN at a date and place to be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Arline’s memory to the North Hill Team Member Appreciation Fund, 865 Central Avenue, Needham, MA 02492.