Joan Velilla-Valdez

Joan Velilla-Valdez was called home on December 28, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.Joan was born on December 26, 1932 in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Joan married Jesus Velilla Valdez, QMC of the United States Navy. They traveled the world together with their 9 children and eventually took residence in Newport, Rhode Island.She worked at the Navy Exchange for many years, cared for the elderly privately and in nursing homes and opened two businesses on the island. Joanns Spa, formerly known as Tubleys, and West Haven Bamp;B on Whitfield Place.What should be remembered most about Joan A. Velilla was her great love of being a mother, wife, grandmother and matriarch. She was known as Hon to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughters: Victoria Howell of Tiverton, RI; Anamaria Velilla of Newport, RI; Maria Anthon of Portsmouth, RI; Rosalinda Berube of Middletown, RI; Angelina Hewett of Portsmouth, RI; her sons Joseph Velilla of New York and Peter Velilla of Newport, RI. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her late husband Jesus Velilla-Valdez and her two sons Gerald A. Velilla and Paul P. Velilla.Calling hours will be held on January 1, 2019 from 4-8pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway in Newport. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 9:00am from the funeral home, with her Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30am in St. Josephs Church, Mann Ave and Broadway in Newport. Burial will follow in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, RI.