Phyllis M. Newton, 78, of Newport, died July 2, 2010 at the Grand Islander Health Care Center after a short illness.

She was born in 1932 and was the daughter of the late Manuel and Adeline (Amoruso) Leal.

Newton was the wife of the late former Newport Police Chief Frederick Newton and the late former Newport Det. Sgt. Joseph M. Gallagher, Jr. She graduated from Rogers High School.

She is survived by her son, Joseph M. Gallagher, III, of Portsmouth; her sister, Joan Walker, and her husband, Robert, of Middletown; her grandchildren, Amanda B. Gallagher, Mickenzie E. Gallagher, and J. Michael Gallagher, IV, all of Newport; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was the sister of the late Leah Leal.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustin Church, Carroll Avenue, Newport. Burial will take place at St. Columba Cemetery, Middletown.

Visiting hours will be held, July 6, 2010 from 4 to 7 p.m. at  O'Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport.
Donations, in Newton's memory, may be made to the St. Augustin Church Building Fund, 2 Eastnor Road, Newport, RI 02840.
For more information visit www.onhfh.com