In Our Care

Jennifer Ann Newman

9/20/2025

It is with great love and sadness that we announce the passing of Jennifer Ann Newman on June 30, 2025, in San Anselmo, California.

Born in Greenbrae, California on September 20, 1979, Jennifer lived a life filled with love, fun, service, humor and adventure. She will be remembered most for her devotion to her family, her kindness, and her deep love of nature.

Jennifer is survived by husband, Hamid Locks, son and daughter Caleb and Riley Locks, mother and father, Gayle Newman and Ronald Newman and two older sisters, Casi Mayo and Lisa Akery. Jennifer will be dearly missed and forever remembered in the many hearts of those who loved her.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 20th 2025, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Fernwood Cemetery located at 301 Tennessee Valley Rd., Mill Valley, California 94941.

A more informal gathering will take place the following day, Sunday, September 21st, 2025 beginning at noon at Fairway Ballpark located at 500 Cindy Way, Pacifica, California 94044.

Family and friends are warmly welcome to attend either or both gatherings.

In honor of Jennifer's memory, the family encourages participation in the 7th Annual Bay Area Steps against Melanoma Walk on the following Saturday, September 27th at the Little Marina Green in San Francisco. Jennifer was a strong supporter of the AIM Foundation and proudly took part in the walk in 2024.

To join Jennifer’s team for the 7th Annual Melanoma “AIM” Walk please visit and register at: https://support.aimatmelanoma.org/team/767103

Norma Jean Powell

9/28/2025

Rev. Norma Jean Powell, 78, a retired minister and teacher who grew up in Tam Valley and served as pastor for nine Methodist churches across California, died of cancer at her home in Larkspur, CA, on August 9, 2025.

Founder of an outreach ministry that comforted seniors of multiple faiths in Mill Valley -- especially at the Redwoods nonprofit senior living community -- Rev. Powell was a long-term member and former education director of Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church, which sponsored her projects. It was at MTUMC that Rev. Powell created the now-annual Longest Night nondenominational observance designed to provide emotional support to residents of southern Marin who may be experiencing grief, loss, or other challenges during the winter holiday season.
A voracious reader and theological thinker since childhood, Rev. Powell was passionate about the intersections of spirituality, nature, local history, and the sacred Celtic roots of her long-time Marin family. Her father, Norman L. Powell, a longtime member of the Marin Sheriff’s Posse and a mounted patrol officer on Marin’s beaches, was a well-known community figure. With her sister Rae and mother Mae, the family lived for many decades in one of the oldest homes in Tam Valley, a 1923 farm cottage where they kept horses, farm animals, and even an orphaned fawn whom they rescued and allowed inside their house. Redwoods that they planted in the mid 20th century now tower over the large lot near the top of Marin Drive.

A strong sense of rootedness and connection was of core value to Rev. Powell. She was a co-founder of Tam Valley Kids, a social group of alumni of Tam Valley Elementary School from the 1950s and 60s that remains active today. She and her late husband, fellow teacher and former Jesuit seminarian William Walsh, shared their home with many rescued cats. Yet when not taking care of people and animals, they loved the feeling of freedom. Their favorite pastime was taking unplanned motorcycle camping trips to Rocky Mountain states, packing little more than sleeping bags and delighting in having no itinerary.

After graduating from Sonoma State, before attending the Pacific School of Religion and obtaining her degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, Norma Jean taught English as a Second Language. She and her sister Rae also provided childcare for some famous families, including those of presidential nominees Adlai Stevenson (Democrat) and Barry Goldwater (Conservative Republic(an).
Rev. Powell is survived by her sister Rae Powell Walz of Sequim, WA; in-laws Sheila Leal of Boyd Hot Springs, CA and Joe Walsh of Chimacum, WA, and three adult step-children; and many dear friends including Lisa Anderson, John Murphy, and Jeff Golden. A service is planned for 12:30 p.m. September 28, 2025 at Mt Tam United Methodist Church, 410 Sycamore Way, Mill Valley. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the MTUMC Church for its senior outreach program.