Obituary of Jette Newgard
Jette Newgard passed away peacefully and in the presence of loving family on September 8, 2023, at the age of 93 in Denville, NJ. She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in May 1930 as Jette Holst, the daughter of Johannes Juul Holst and Gudrun Holst.
Growing up in Europe during World War II in an occupied nation, she managed to thrive in primary school and earned a degree in dentistry from the Royal Dental College of Copenhagen, which has been a leader of dental education in Denmark for 133 years. Jette came from a remarkable family of dentists including her sister Dorthe, her mother, and her father, who served as the Dean of the Royal Dental College.
After earning her degree, she took a fellowship to expand her skills in dentistry in New York City, where she met her eventual husband, John J. Newgard. They settled first in Parsippany, and eventually in Boonton Township, NJ where they raised two children, Christopher B. Newgard and Laura Newgard. As a couple, they gave Chris and Laura, as well as John’s children from a previous marriage, Rebecca Lampert and Stephanie Newgard, a unique set of experiences that included travel, embrace of cultural experiences, and constant intellectual stimulation.
Jette lost John to blood cancer in 2001, but with loving support from her friends and family, was able to live a very active and fulfilled life since then. She was extremely athletic and fit, and loved tennis, paddleball, and her multiple daily walks in the woods or to the local market, the latter continuing well into her 90’s.
She stayed very close to her sister Lone Bentzen-Bilkvist and brother Jens Holst in Denmark and enjoyed a role as the “mother-node” for her Danish family in the United States, serving as the gateway to many interactions across multiple generations of her family from the two countries.
Jette was an elegant lady who took great pride in her appearance and behavior, setting a standard for all other family members. She was revered by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will miss our mor (mother), farmor (father’s mother), and oldemor (great grandmother) very deeply.
The Newgard family is forever thankful to The Oaks at Denville and the Atlantic Visiting Nurses Hospice for providing the services and expertise that allowed Jette to continue to live independently and at home. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages supporting these non-profit organizations.
Arrangements were private and provided by Codey & Mackey Funeral Home of Boonton. Please visit CodeyMackeyFH.com to share condolences with the family.
