I remember Jean as a happy go lucky spirit! She was the ultimate mother to her children, and to her neighbors children! What a great human being she was!I have special memories of Jean driving along in her Volkswagon van singing her jovial tunes! Loved her!

My thoughts and prayers are with Jean's entire family. She loved you all so very much, and She was a true inspiration to many.  I am forever grateful for having her in my life.     
Love and Prayers, Fran Stitt, Long Beach, Ca.

Kathy, our thoughts are with you...and hope Tom and all of your children will shower you with the love and support....you showed your mother for so many years. ❤

Jean Newell went to heaven June 29, 2015, to sing and dance and continue her awesomeness.  She was the mother of 5, having lost her first born son soon after his birth.  She was the grandmother of 12 and great grandmother of 2. She was more than a friend to more than can be counted and she lived her life with peace and dignity and freedom.  

She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in April of 1923, and moved to Long Beach, California, in 1945, where she raised her beautiful family.  She was a homemaker who loved to sew and knit and be a mom.  Her love for learning was always evident and once her youngest was in Kindergarten, she started back to school herself.  Her formal education culminated in a Master's Degree in Social Work at the age of 65. She moved to Washington, D.C. for 7 years to work for Network: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby and Catholic Network of Volunteer Service. She returned to California in 1999 and resumed her grandmotherly love on her newest grandchildren.  

Her passions in life were dancing and listening to the Big Bands or Frank Sinatra.  She knew the words to every song and would often just start singing.  She also loved rollerskating until she was in her 60's. 

She sold her Long Beach residence to her son in 2012 and we moved her to The Breakers in downtown Long Beach, an assisted living community. After two years,  she was eventually moved to Burbank, where she found more people to love and to be loved by.  

She loved people.  She loved everything about people. She was a free spirit. who was filled with God's grace and light.  She was kind and generous and an inspiration to many.
She is survived by four children: Kathy, Joni, Nancy, and Tom.  Twelve grandchildren: Tim, Jennifer, Jeff, Zachary, Carly, Kevin, Michael, Eric, Brian, Andrew, Robert, and Nathan. Two great grandchildren: Madison and Mason.  

A Memorial Service will be planned. Her wish is to have her ashes strewn across the Pacific Ocean. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity.

OBITUARY

Jean Frances Newell

30 April, 1923 – 29 June, 2015

Valley Funeral Home

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