Joanne Florence Newman

Joanne Florence Newman, 85, formally of 14 Court St. Pl., August, ME, passed away at Rice Estate nursing facility on November 16, 2025 under Lutheran Hospice care in Columbia, SC. She was a devoted grandmother, mother, wife and retired nurse; dedicated to acts of service. Whether it be caring for patients under her charge, family members with long term illness, friends in need, or those in her skilled care unit, she was always nursing. Joanne took pride in supporting her husband’s Masonic affiliations and Kora Shrine (Flag Unit) endeavors and annually worked the Shrine Circus. She enjoyed cooking, big band music, the theatre, camping at Beaver Brook with her family, holiday traditions, her nurse friends, being near water, and spending time in Cape Cod, MA. Full of spunk, Joanne loved to joke, entertain, plan surprises and was a straight shooter.

Born May 30,1940 in Bingham, Maine, she was the daughter of (and predeceased by) her father, Blin Witham and her mother, Janet Seldon Smith Witham. A 1958 graduate of Cony High School, she was a member of the Order of Rainbow Girls (Assembly #10) and served as Grand Worthy Advisor for Girls State of Maine (1958-1959). She graduated from Central Maine General Hospital in 1961 as a RN and retired with 32 years of service from (AMHI) Augusta Mental Health Institute in staff development. She was a devoted member of South Parish Congregational Church (where she served on the board of trustees, as an usher, worked on church suppers, the casserole committee and Holly Mart). She volunteered regularly in her children’s schools and was an avid salesman who enjoyed part time ventures such as selling girl scout cookies, Tupperware, crystal, and Avon. In retirement she loved working for Stacey’s Hallmark store (while caring for her husband).

Joanne lived in Augusta, ME until moving to Columbia, SC in 2003 to be with her daughter. In Columbia she was a member of the Red Haters Society (Happy Hatters), volunteered at Workshop Theatre, Mended Hearts, Dreher High School Dance performances, and was a member of the Carolina Jazz Society.

She is predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Duane R. Newman and cousin, Martha Smart of Florida. Survivors include: her son, David Newman, his wife Heather Newman, granddaughter Samantha Newman, grandson, Dylan Wilson, his wife Lilly Wilson and great granddaughter, Sophia Wilson of Sandwich, MA; daughter, Kathleen (Newman) Lee, her husband Dr. Chris Lee and granddaughters, Addison Grace Lee and Emmi-Elizabeth Lee of Columbia, SC; step-son, Stephen Newman, and his wife Roxanne Newman of Augusta, ME; grandson, Brandon Newman, his wife Helen Newman, and great-granddaughters Ava and Lyla Newman of Portland, ME; granddaughter, Brittany Albert, her husband Shane Albert and great granddaughters, Ivey Rose and Maisy Eve Albert of Scarborough, ME; grandson, Zachary Newman of Columbia, SC; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Kevin Craven; nephew, Joffrey Craven, his wife Meredith Craven, great niece, Layla Craven and great nephew, Liam Craven of Cypress, TX; niece, Stephanie Craven of Truckee, CA; and cousin, Sara Costello of Mulberry, FL and honorary son, John Mazzaro of Old Orchard Beach, ME.

A burial and graveside service is planned for June 20, 2026, at 10:00 am in Augusta, Maine at Forest Grove cemetery where she’ll be put to rest with her husband. In lieu of flowers, Joanne requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association or the Shriners Children’s Hospital.