Hollister Newlin

May 1928 – August 2026

PHOENIX, ARIZONA — The well-known adventuress, artist, and beloved matriarch J. Hollister Newlin, 98, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026, in Phoenix. Her long, vibrant, and extraordinary life was defined by a relentless curiosity, an original creative spirit, and a deep appreciation for the world and people around her.

Born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, to Eunice and Harold Deane, Hollister was an eternal student of life who never grew old. As a graduate of Beaver College in Pennsylvania, Hollister embarked on her first great adventure. She hopped on a train to see the "wild west" of Steamboat Springs, Colorado where she met and married Ralph Selch, with whom she had two children, Alan and Claudia.

In 1968, Hollister moved to Phoenix, seeking a new adventure. She eventually met and married Charles Newlin. Together, they explored the globe, spending months at a time living in Bandar Abbas, Iran, as well as Nigeria and Japan. A world traveler who always opted for the road less traveled, Hollister's wanderlust took her to diverse locales, from the northernmost point in Norway and the vibrant markets of Morocco, with journeys through Myanmar, Mali, and Papua New Guinea. Wherever she went, she cherished the people she met above all else.

She was a gifted sculptor in stone and an active quilter. Her love of community led her to participate in several quilting groups, the "matinee madams," and to become an active, beloved member of the Beatitudes senior community in Phoenix. There, she shared her love of art and puzzles with her floor, offering exceptional kindness and engaging conversation to everyone she met. She also had a lifelong fondness for cats, enjoying the company of many (mostly Siamese) over her years, including her beloved companion, Ashi.

Hollister was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Phillip (Phil) Deane and Shirley Corse; her former spouse, Ralph; and her husband, Charles. She is survived by her two children and their spouses, Alan Selch (Joy) and Claudia Marsh (Michael); her two stepchildren and their families; her three grandchildren and their spouses, Lauren Agajanian (Garret), Aaron Selch (Rachael), and Alex Marsh. Her three great-grandchildren, Nathan, Elizabeth, and Ani. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews,

A celebration of Hollister’s inspirational life will be held in October at The Beatitudes campus in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Sojourner Center of Phoenix.