Phoebe Newman was a star…creative, kind, generous, wise, funny, and gorgeous.  A gifted writer/poet and a sensitive artist.  She loved vibrant colors, her many friends, small towns, her dogs and her family.  She also loved the outdoors, especially kayaking-canoeing-back packing-winter wilderness skiing, skin diving as well as exotic treks and travel.  Always, she appreciated interacting with strangers she met on the street or in the aisles of  a supermarket.  Besides her insightful poetry, she performed,  painted and created magical wall hangings.  Her home was often filled with accomplices and shared enthusiasms.  She loved many and was herself widely admired.  Her smile was irresistible and infectious, it was clear that she was always in the moment.  She lit up the room. 

She was born in Georgia, leaving there to attend college in Ohio and Florida and did graduate work at Parson’s in New York City.  She lived at one time or another in NYC, Los Alamos, New Mexico, Ketchikan, Alaska and McMinnville, Oregon.  She traveled to many countries but loved Mexico and Guatemala the best. 

She was employed in radio, political activism, advertising, book stores and wrote extensively.  She was also heavily involved in the Modern Jazz scene in NYC in the 70s. 

Phoebe died early on the morning of May 30, 2024 at home with her husband Phil, his son Adam and her devoted sister Judith. A memorial service is planned for July 20 at 4 PM at her home in McMinnville.