Josephine Ann Newell
November 11, 1923 — July 10, 2017
JoAnn grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Oklahoma State University. Working as Secretary to the Plant Manager of the Douglas Aircraft facility in Oklahoma City at the end of World War II she met her future husband Frank C. Newell Jr. After a whirlwind romance they were married in 1945.
Her husband Frank was a professional golfer and after stints in the Pacific Northwest and the PGA Tour they returned to Frank's hometown of Long Beach in 1953 where JoAnn lived the remainder of her life. In 1959 husband Frank was named the first Golf Professional at Skylinks Golf Course in Long Beach where he held that position until 1984. JoAnn also became an avid golfer, eventually achieving a single digit handicap.
JoAnn was the perfect mother attending all of her children's baseball games, golf tournaments, dance and piano lessons, helping with homework, speeches and school work. She was a soft touch for her kids and their friends, always had a refrigerator full of food and the Newell home was the center of the neighborhood activity. She was a member of every PTA, was Cub Scout Den Mother and always supported her kids in their activities and endeavors.
She played the same role for her grandchildren years later and was always there to lend a helping hand as her grandkids grew up. When husband Frank retired in 1984 he served as golf instructor on numerous cruises and JoAnn and Frank traveled the world for several years. She also loved the desert and for many years has enjoyed having a home in Palm Desert and then La Quinta. Following her husband's death in 1990 she assumed the role of the beloved matriarch of the Newell family nurturing her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children Frank R. Newell of Long Beach (Margie), Jeff Newell of Huntington Beach (Aimee) and Lisa Newell Pack of Huntington Beach (Tom). She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Stephanie Newell, Ashley Newell Enright, Michelle Newell, Kolbe Newell, Justin Pack, Jeffrey Newell and Corey Pack, step-grandchildren Lauren Peterson and Katie Bradbury and great-grandson Mason Enright.
We already miss her love, compassion and generosity but she will live with us for the remainder of our lives. Her memorial will be private. In lieu of flowers we know JoAnn would be pleased if you did something special for someone, be it a loved one or a stranger, and if you're inclined, make a donation in her memory to the American Cancer Society (1940 E. Deere Ave., Suite 100, Santa Ana, Ca 92705—write "HB/Pack's Pledge" on donation) or another non-profit organization that has meaning to you.
Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401
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