Emily Betts Newman
Chelsea, VT – The bright light of Emily Betts Newman, age 74, of Chelsea, VT stopped shining on Monday, October 13, 2025 at her home with her husband by her side.
She was born April 2, 1951 in Frankfurt, Germany, the daughter of Richard H. and Emily (Williams) Betts. Emily’s family lived overseas and across the U.S. during her father’s military career before making their home in Chelsea. She attended Chelsea Public School and graduated in 1969 from Marian High School in Barre, VT. She attended Goddard College, worked part time at the Chelsea Country Store before working full time at the Chelsea Health Center.
She married Gordon E. “Rick” Newman on June 18, 1988 in an outdoor garden ceremony. They made their home in Warwick, MA while she worked for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections of Shirley, MA. In 1996, Emily and Rick moved to Chelsea when she began working at the Orange County Courthouse as the docket clerk and case manager for family court before becoming the Superior Court Manager and County Clerk in 2004. She later worked as an Investigator for the Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation in Montpelier; the Orange County Parent Child Center in Chelsea/Tunbridge and most recently, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Chelsea.
Emily was a Vermont Notary Public, Justice of the Peace for the Town of Chelsea and volunteer at the Tunbridge World’s Fair Gift Shop.
She treasured family gatherings, especially those held at her brother, Victor’s home and she valued the time shared with her friends. She enjoyed gardening, porch visits, traveling, finding new restaurants, crossword puzzles, reading, driving the golf cart and seasonal decorating, notably Halloween.
She is survived by her husband, Gordon “Rick” Newman of Chelsea; her brother, Victor R. Betts and his wife, Lee of Londonderry, NH; two nieces, Lauren Pruneau of Londonderry, NH and Paige Betts of Gulfport, FL; a great niece, Jenna Pruneau and great nephew, Carter Pruneau both of Londonderry, NH; many cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Emily Betts.
Emily had the unique ability for seeing and supporting the good in every person and will be deeply missed! There will be a Celebration of Life Gathering at a later date which will be announced.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea, VT. A private message of sympathy for the family may be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com.
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