Mary Elizabeth Newman

Mary Newman, 95, of Yakima, died June 20, 2015, with her daughter and

caregivers at her side.

Mary was born at home in Ronald, WA, November 15, 1919, the second child

of Croatian immigrant parents, Julian Skochilich and Katherine Mayetich

Skochilich. Her father was killed in a coal mine accident when she was six

years old. In 1929, her mother remarried Matt Vegar. The family moved to a

small farm at Sedro Wooley, WA, in 1930, where her brother Joseph Vegar was

born.

Mary was graduated from Sedro Woolley H.S. in 1937, and was the first in

her family to go on to college, at Central Washington College of Education,

Ellensburg, WA. After two years, she left school to marry Art Newman, the

handsome band director at Sedro Woolley H.S., on August 23, 1939. The couple

moved to Wenatchee, WA in 1941, where daughter Gretchen was born.

When they moved to Yakima in 1947, Mary began her teaching career at

Cowiche Grade School. Over the next twenty-odd years, Mary completed her

Bachelor degree, earned her Master degree in 1960, and taught 6th grade at

Nob Hill and Roosevelt Grade Schools, and Health & Physical Education at

Washington Jr. H.S. in Yakima.

Mary had a strong work ethic, which she expected of others, and a deep

appreciation for her Croatian heritage. She was an excellent seamstress,

cook and baker. She enjoyed working in her rose garden, and loved her long line of pet “doggers”.

She was a member of St. Paul Cathedral Parish, Croatian Fraternal Union

Lodge 439, Women’s’ Century Club, among others, as well as various educational

organizations, including WEA, NEA, Alpha Delta Kappa, and Washington State

School Retirees' Assn.

Mary and Art travelled extensively in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe,

Russia, Japan, China and Australia. Retiring after successful teaching careers,

the couple divided their time between their homes in San Antonio, TX and

Yakima, returning permanently to Yakima in 1997.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Art Newman in 2002,

brother Philip Skochilich, and nephew Patrick Skochilich.

She is survived by her daughter Gretchen, Seattle; brother Joseph

Vegar (Netta); cousin Frances Gambini; nieces and nephews, Phyllis Turner,

Nancy McKern, Philip Skochilich (Kathy}, Liane Campbell (Ron) , Lori Hitchcock

(Lee), Bruce Vegar, Stan Vegar, Gary Vegar (Carol), and Robert Vegar, as

well as numerous cousins in Croatia.

Visitation will be Friday, June 26, 4:00 to 8:00 PM, at Keith & Keith

Funeral Home (with Rosary at 6:00 PM) Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, June 27, 2015, at St. Paul Cathedral, with concluding services

immediately following at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

Memorial donations may be made to: "CFU Scholarship Foundation”,

Croatian Fraternal Union, 100 Delaney Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15235.