Celebration of Life Set for Local Environmentalist Joyce A. Newman at Eureka Springs

The community will pay tribute to a longtime Brandon environmental and political activist during a celebration of life service Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. at Eureka Springs Regional Park.

Joyce "Joy" Arleen Newman of Brandon died Saturday, Dec. 1 at the age of 57.

Newman, known for her sparkling personality and ever-present smile, was passionate about protecting Florida's precious resources.

While serving on the executive committee of the Sierra Club, she was instrumental in saving Cone Ranch public land from development in northern Hillsborough County.

She also was a member of the East Hillsborough County Democratic Club and was the Florida media liaison in the 2008 Dennis Kucinich presidential campaign.

Her dream was to create a National Department of Peace. She relentlessly promoted world peace and awareness of social and environmental issues through her many environmental and political roles.

She enjoyed traveling, meeting new people and acting. She was a member of the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association and the Florida Film Network. She recently had parts in several short films and movies.

Born June 5, 1955, in Martinsville, Va., to George and Wilma Newnam, she is survived by her mother; brother, George of Vesta, Va.; sisters, Jane Hampton (Michael) of Hampstead, N.C., and Joanna Kellogg (Michael) of Brandon; nephews, Todd and Brian Hampton (Dana) of Hampstead, N.C., and her beloved cats, Yogi and Star.

Donations in Newman's name can be sent to the Tampa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Eureka Springs Park is located at 6400 Eureka Springs Road, Tampa, north of Interstate 4.

The service is being handled by Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.