Marlborough – Ilona Sue (Goodman) Newton, 62, of Marlborough, passed away, surrounded by loved ones, Dec. 30, 2018. She fought a courageous 17-month battle with breast cancer.
Ilona was born Sept. 27, 1956 in Flushing, N.Y., and moved to Sudbury in 1969. She was the daughter of James and Barbara (Terins) Goodman of Carlisle, Pa., and the wife of Michael F. Newton of Marlborough, whom she married Sept. 8, 2002. Ilona and Michael had seven children between them.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her children, Billy Gallo of Marlborough, Anthony Gallo and his wife Brittny of Warwick, R.I., Jason Gallo and his wife Melissa of Allenstown, N.H., Stephen Gallo of Fitchburg, and Melissa Gallo of Marlborough; her stepsons, Eric Newton and Joshua Newton of Marlborough; her sister, Maribeth Heishman and her husband Jeffrey of Carlisle, Pa.; her two grandchildren, Damien and Franklin Gallo of Allenstown, N.H.; and her nieces, Terin Pazich and her husband Dan and Lydia Frohm and her husband Drew and their son Jase.
Ilona’s passion was “Special Needs & Special Olympics.” She devoted her life to helping individuals with intellectual disabilities. She volunteered for Special Olympics for 25 years and was a coach to many Special Olympics athletes. She always wanted her athletes to be brave in the attempt and for them all to do their very best. “Let me win but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
She was a coach in track and field, bocce, basketball, and bowling. Her athletes attended both national and world games for Special Olympic competitions. Ilona also raised money and awareness for the Special Olympics by Freezing for a Reason (Polar Plunge).
Ilona worked for Thrive Support and Advocacy in Marlborough.
Ilona and Michael loved to travel, especially to her favorite spot, Maui. They made a yearly trip to Hawaii where Ilona loved tropical walks on the beach, sunsets, volcano views, fresh pineapple, hibiscus and “Maui Splash.”
Ilona was the rock of the family. She loved hosting family parties on her back porch. She had a passion for photography, Fire and NASCAR. She also loved her many grand doggies.
Visiting hours will be held Thursday, Jan. 3, from 5-7 p.m., at the Slattery Funeral Home, Inc., 40 Pleasant St., Marlborough.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shrewsbury Special Needs Program or Thrive, Support and Advocacy, 65 Boston Post Road West, Suite 220, Marlborough, MA, 01752.
