Jean A Newell
Jean Ann Newell was born August 17, 1943 in Kirksville, Mo. to James R. and Lucile A. (Quinn) Newell. Jean passed away peacefully at the age of 80 under the care of EvergreenHealth Hospice Center in Kirkland, Wash.
One of three children, she grew up in Iowa with older sister Joan and younger brother Jerry. The Newells spent most of her childhood in Creston, Ia., where the family owned and operated a Tots ‘n’ Teens clothing store below their apartment.
Jean settled in Seattle in the early 1960s, where she met Genevieve “Jackie” Johnson – her closest friend and greatest love. Jean and Jackie stayed connected for many years and would later reunite to spend their golden years as best friends and housemates.
Jean was a talented artist and crafter who took on many different trades over her lifetime. Her work included computer operations at the Carnation company, professional house painting, and floral design. She also dabbled with numerous instruments, including the piano and clarinet.
While Jean expressed that she never desired to have children of her own, she displayed her generous and caring nature to her nieces, nephews, and many household pets. She was a loving pet parent to numerous dogs, cats, and birds – most notably her dogs Aiko, Bubbles, and Zero, cat Buster, and bird Jade. She will only be remembered as “Mom” by her brother Jerry, due to a long-running joke about the time a stranger mistakenly thought Jerry was her son.
After the death of her mother Lucy in 1995, Jean relocated to Colorado to become the primary caregiver for her father, Jim. Jean lovingly dedicated herself to giving her father enriching and dignified care; this enabled him to go on fishing trips, savor home-cooked meals, and enjoy the freedom of living at home for as long as possible. With Jean’s help, Jim was able to delight in the presence of many relatives, friends, and animal buddies who enhanced his quality of life until his passing in 2007. During Jean’s time in Colorado, she also became integral to the lives of her brother’s children, Jen and Ryan, who were incredibly lucky to grow up with the constant involvement of their doting Aunt Jean.
Jean 1960s
In 2007, Jean moved back to the Pacific Northwest to live with Jackie in Marysville, Wash. She relished in the many phone calls and letters she received from friends and family across several states. She remained sweet, joyful, and kind through her last days, and was overjoyed by the news that her niece is expecting a baby in June and her nephew is getting a new house built.
Jean will be remembered best for her sly humor, artistic talent, generous spirit, stubborn habits, and love of animals. She is survived by her best friend Jackie Johnson; sister Joan Mongar (Dave); brother Jerry Newell (Elvie); nieces Lynn Marienau (Bill), Lorri Bell (Dale), Stacy Mongar, and Jennifer Davies (Ken); nephew Ryan Newell (Monica); grand nephew Matthew Smith; grand nieces Allison Bell and Nicole Marienau; and dear friend Pam Pipe. She is preceded in death by her father Jim and her mother Lucy.
The post first appeared on Barton Family Funeral Service.