Georgena Tomich Newell Sparks

Georgena Tomich (Newell) Sparks, known to her friends as Jean, died peacefully on December 19, 2012. Georgena was born in Roslyn, Washington in May 1922 to coal miner George Tomich and his wife, Dragica Kauzlarich, both immigrants from Croatia. When Georgena was only six months old, her father died. Her mother remarried and the blended family eventually moved to Seattle in 1930. In Seattle, Georgena attended Cleveland High School and then studied at a Seattle business college. During World War II, Georgena volunteered for the USO. In 1944, she married Army Second Lieutenant Richard Newell. Georgena began a career as an officers wife and mother to two daughters. During the Army years, she lived in Texas, New Jersey, Washington, California, Arizona and Japan. After her husbands retirement from the Army, Georgenas family moved back to Washington. They settled in Edmonds in 1962. A year later, Georgena began working in the corporate trust department of Seattle First National Bank. She retired from the bank approximately fifteen years later. In 1983, Georgena married Wainard Sparks. Her family expanded to include five stepchildren. Georgena and Wainard enjoyed spending time with family, going on cruises and taking short trips around the northwest. Wainard preceded Georgena in death in 1991.Georgena loved living in Edmonds, taking regular walks along the waterfront with friends and shopping in the lovely stores in downtown Edmonds, where she became friends with many shop owners. Georgena will be remembered for her devotion to family and friends, her love of flowers, hats, chocolate, and the color purple.Georgena is survived by daughters Carol Newell (James) Pidduck and Linda Newell (John) Goodness; stepchildren Susan Sparks (Steve) Ellis, James (Jane) Sparks, Mary Christine Sparks (Robert) Winter, Daniel (Patricia) Sparks, Anne Sparks (Arthur) Waller; eleven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.A celebration of Georgenas life will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Becks Funeral Home Chapel, 405 Fifth Avenue South, in Edmonds. Announcement: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the USO or the Wounded Warrior Project.