In memory of our friend and mentor Marilyn Newell

Ms. Newell at the 2020 Marilyn Newell Youth Music Festival

Marilyn Skinner Newell of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Advent Health Lake Wales.

          She was born March 20, 1929 in Rochester, NY, to the late William and Mildred Skinner. She and her husband, Dr. Bruce Newell, moved to Lake Wales in 1958. Marilyn was a homemaker and was of the Presbyterian faith. Early in her adult life, she was a member of Indian Lakes Estates Methodist Church where she was a charter member and also the choir director for 28 years.

          Marilyn graduated from Duke University and was an avid Blue Devils fan.  She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and of Phi Beta Kappa. She was a member and former president of AAUW in Lake Wales where she was an Education Foundation Honoree as a “Woman Who Has Made History in Lake Wales”. She was former President of the Lake Wales Arts Council two times and served on its board. She founded and chaired the annual Lake Wales Art Show and the Marilyn Newell Youth Music Festival and was Pioneer of the Year in 2017-2018.

          Mrs. Newell was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Bruce Newell. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Skinner Severson of Venice, FL, her sister-in-law Jean Davis Newell and nieces and nephews: Henry Newell, Jr., Robert Newell, David Newell, Sr., Linda N. Garza, Mims N. Coleman, Connie Newell, Tommy Humphries, Bill Humphries, Bruce Humphries and Betty H. Bowes.

          A visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm, Thursday, August 19th, 2021 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. Memorial donations can be sent to the Lake Wales Art Council for Marilyn Newell Youth Music Festival (Post Office Box 608, Lake Wales, Florida 33859) or to the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales (16 North 3rd Street, Lake Wales, Florida 33853).