Joanne Newbegin Iseli

Jan was born on October 2, 1936 to John and Betty Newbegin in Tacoma, WA. She was a 1958 graduate from the University of Washington in mathematics. While at the University of Washington, Jan met Jean Iseli who would later become her husband. Immediately after graduation, Jan started working for Boeing as a missile/guidance test analyst. Jan and Jean married on July 2, 1959. Jean was drafted into the military, and they relocated to Annapolis, MD. Jan began working as a programmer with the UNIVAC mainframe computer, where she worked for 17 years. Jan and Jean were blessed with two daughters, Nicole and Yvette, both born in Washington D.C. They raised their daughters in Alexandria, VA until 1976 when Jean, his brother Andre, and father Werner purchased a tree nursery in Boring, OR. Jan worked for a year in Olympia, WA, the closest city that had the UNIVAC computers at that time. At the end of a year of traveling back and forth, Jan moved to the nursery in 1977. After ending her programming career, Jan became involved in several organizations and supported her daughter's many activities. Jan was active in the Boring Grade School PTA, the Blue Marlin Swim Team and the OSU Extension Service in Clackamas County. Jan was a very devout Episcopalian, and an active member of both Holy Cross and St Aidan's Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry, in various leadership roles, and working as an Altar Guild member. One day, a church friend invited Jan to a meeting of the Wildwood Garden Club. Jan got hooked! Over 37 years, Jan belonged to the Wildwood, Powell Valley, and Sunny Hills Garden Clubs. Increasing her service in a variety of leadership roles, Jan eventually became the state President for the Oregon Federation of Garden Clubs from 1997-99. Jan also got involved and became a member of both the Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs. At this level of involvement, Jan enjoyed extensive traveling opportunities all around the United States. In 1997, upon the sale of Iseli Nursery, Jan moved to Summerplace in Portland. Jan loved many Summerplace activities and her social circle there. She especially enjoyed cruises with her friends to Alaska, the Caribbean, and Mexico. In 2014, Jan moved to Russellville Assisted Living where she received wonderful care until the end of her life. Jan is survived by her daughters Yvette Iseli and Nicole Cleary, son-in-law Tim Cleary, and three granddaughters, Corrina, Sierra and Jasmine. A beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Jan Iseli will forever be in our hearts.