- Date Of Birth: September 6, 1938
- Date Of Death: December 31, 2018
- State: New Jersey
Mary Ann Newnam (nee Smith), age 80, died peacefully on December 31, 2018 as a resident of Arden Courts in Cherry Hill, NJ. Beloved wife of her devoted husband of 50 years, George A. Newnam. Loving mother to two daughters, Amy Newnam (Jorge Franco) and Dixie Newnam (Bob Land) and proud grandmother of three grandchildren: Macy Land, Thomas Land and Liliana Franco. Dear sister of her brother, James Smith (Ella), her sister, Joyce Smith and her late sister, Rena Smith. She loved and had fond memories of her numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Raised in Holland, TX, Mary Ann set her sights high and was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college, with a major in communications and a minor in math from Mary Hardin Baylor University. She taught math and language arts to junior and senior high school students for eight years. In 1968, her decision to take a summer art course at the University of Colorado took her to Boulder where she met and married the love of her life. Mary Ann and George settled in George’s family home in Trinidad, CO in 1973 where they lived until 2015 when they relocated to New Jersey.
A prolific writer, Mary Ann once wrote that she “always had high dreams, fed by a wide range of interests and curiosity.” These interests were evident in the active role she played in the Trinidad community. She was a substitute teacher during her daughters’ elementary school years; provided secretarial support during the years George was in private practice; and taught in the ESL program at TSJC. She was instrumental in the founding, renovation and operation of the Trinidad Children’s Museum, serving many roles including grantwriter, fundraiser, president of the board, program and project developer and all-around volunteer. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church for many years; attended the First Christian Church in later years; and was active in numerous community organizations. She enjoyed creating art in all of its forms including writing, painting, sewing, singing, gardening, cooking, playing the piano, working crossword and Sudoku puzzles and renovating houses and buildings. Her love, compassion, creativity and positive outlook were boundless and she is loved and missed by all who knew her. Her final wish was to share her love with you and for you to share it with the world.
