Joan Alvarez

Joan A. Alvarez, 90, of Newton, Kansas went to heaven on July 26th, 2023, at 10:51am with her family by her side. Joan was born on June 25, 1933, in Elmo, KS. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Newton, graduated from Newton High and attended Business College. Joan was married to Frank P. Alvarez, and the two married in Enid, Oklahoma, on September 17th, 1957.

Joan spent a lot of her time at Our Lady of Guadelupe, whether she was at church service, attending the rosary, or cooking for the church. She  was also involved in Our Lady of Guadelupe’s Altar Society, where she upkept the altar and interior of the church, serving luncheons for funerals, and helping with fundraisers. Joan also took part in making prayer blankets for many years. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and calling her sons multiple times a day. She loved anything that was the color pink, enjoyed going out for coffee or ice cream, and loved watching soap operas. She was a former Fred Harvey Girl, worked as a waitress at Henning’s Coffee Shop, was a hostess at the Santa Fe Guest House, and later became a Diamond Salesclerk at Moffatts Jewelers. 

Joan is welcomed to heaven by her husband, Frank, son, Albert V. Alvarez; her mother and father, Refugio Salas, and Pauline Diez; her siblings, Raymond Salas, Mayses Salas, Mike Salas, and Anita Seeney. She is survived by both of her sons, Frank Michael Alvarez and his wife Debbie Alvarez, Patrick E. Alvarez, and his wife Wendy Alvarez; her brother, Rudy Salas; her grandchildren, Christopher Alvarez, Whitney Alvarez, Paris Alvarez-Garibaldi and her husband Angelo Garibaldi, Summer McPherson and her husband Douglas McPherson, Autumn Alvarez, and many great grandchildren.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Father Jorge Lopez leading the Rosary. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, August 3, 2023 at !0:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Father Lopez officitating, burial will follow the Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Cememtery.

Family request memorials to The National Kidney Foundation, The American Heart Association, or to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and may be sent in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.