Jeannette “Jan” Collier Newell, 89, of Huntsville, passed away Monday. Born in Rochester, New York, she graduated from Williamson Central School. She received a degree from Syracuse University where she majored in Early Childhood Education. While at Syracuse, she joined Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. She met the love of her life, George, and they were married in 1952. George’s work took them to Needham, Massachusetts, Keene, New Hampshire, Reading, Massachusetts, and finally to Huntsville, Alabama. During their marriage they designed and built five beautiful homes. Jan taught school in New York State, Massachusetts, and she coordinated the Hospital Homebound Program for Huntsville City Schools. She received her Master’s degree in Special Education from Peabody College. Jane belonged to Alpha Delta Kappy Teachers’ Sorority, where she held several local and state offices. She belonged to chapter M of P.E. O., du Midi Women’s Club, and served as a volunteer at Huntsville Hospital. She was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder and a Lay Pastor.
George and Jan both enjoyed traveling with their family and their grandchildren. They especially enjoyed their time spent in the Netherlands where George worked. During retirement, their greatest joy was the time the spent in their condos in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. They were both die hard Crimson Tide fans, where they had season tickets for many years.
Jan was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, George Beckwith Newell, her daughter, Deborah Newell Lovelace, her son, William Daniel Newell, and her parents, Elmer and Florence Collier.
Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Ruth Newell of Huntsville; granddaughter, Elizabeth Broadway and husband, Joseph; grandsons, Christopher Lovelace, Corey Lovelace and wife, Erica, Johnathan Neely, and Timothy Neely; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Magnolia Trace with Chaplain Jim Koscheski officiating. There will be a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church.
