Brenda Joyce (Dedloff) Newell

Brenda Joyce Dedloff Newell, passed away peacefully in her Alexandria, Virginia home on Sept 15th, 2023, surrounded by family.

She was born to William Joseph and Kattie May Dedloff, on October 8, 1952, in the Starke County Hospital in Knox, Indiana.   She was preceded in death by her father, and her husband of 46 years, William Fay Newell.

Brenda is survived by her daughter, Mary Helen and granddaughters, Caitlynn and Amara, of Alexandria, Virginia; her older sister, Kathy (Randy) of Knox, Indiana; younger brothers Craig Dedloff (Laura) of St Peters, MO; and Mark (Sandra) of Knox, Indiana; sister-in-law JoAnn Edwards (Paul) of Alexandria, VA; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She graduated from Knox High School in 1970 and graduated from Purdue University in 1974 with a BS in Agricultural Economics and Spanish, and in 1978 with a MS in Agricultural Economics.

Brenda married William “Bill” Fay Newell on 5 July 1975 in Knox, Indiana; with a small ceremony also held in Sherman, New York later in the summer.  They lived in IN, PA, and moved to Alexandria, Virginia in the summer of 1983.

Brenda’s career in Washington, DC began as a volunteer at the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, proving genealogical lines for women to join the organization. She first learned the ropes as a family hobby, then realizing her skill, was hired on as part-time genealogist.  After maternity leave, she returned and climbed the ladder over more than 20 years, becoming supervisor and finally assistant director of supplementals.

She was a 50-year member of PEO Sisterhood, initiated in Indiana, and continuing in PA and Virginia.  She was also a long-time DAR member. In retirement, she enjoyed helping research family lines for perspective members for her chapter, successfully bringing new members to the chapter.

In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her young granddaughters, traveling around the country, gardening, and reading thick multi-book series, often escaping to Europe.

Local visitation will be held at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, Alexandria, Virginia on October 2nd, from 10 a.m. to noon, with the funeral immediately following.  A second family funeral, followed by an interment will in hometown of Knox, Indiana on October 7th.

In lieu of or addition to flowers, the family asks you to read and share a good book, or please donate to the American Cancer Society in Brenda’s memory.  

Thank you for your love and support at this difficult time.

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