Mary Beth Newman, 81, passed away on May 30, 2026, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, Kansas, the city she called home her entire life.

The oldest of three children, Mary was born to Robert and Hazel Weatherby on September 25, 1944. Mary loved her baby brother Rob, but she and her sister Pat were two peas in a pod — the very best of friends.

Shortly after graduating from Heights High School, Mary married Curtis Newman Jr. on June 9, 1962. Together they welcomed their first son, Bob, and then Chuck a couple of years later. Mary got down to the business of raising boys, spending most of those years as a stay-at-home mom. She was highly involved in her sons' schools, volunteering at events, chaperoning field trips, and doing her level best to keep those boys in line so they would grow into good humans.

As they got older and more independent, she ventured into the working world, taking positions in shipping and receiving at International Cold Storage, then Catholic Center for the Aging, and then as a pharmacy tech at Wesley Hospital. Just as she thought she was wrapping up her full-time mom gig, life threw her and Curt a giant curveball with the passing of his sister Chloe in 1981. Suddenly they found themselves the guardians of three nieces — Lora (16), Jeannie (12), and Christine (2). Truthfully, Mary wasn't entirely sure about starting her parenting journey all over again, but she ultimately threw herself into being a girl mom and raising more good humans. It was touch and go there for a while, but she made it through — and so did the girls.

During those years she also sampled a variety of careers. She worked at a self-storage facility, as a doctor's assistant for minor outpatient procedures, and even as a travel agent. Eventually Mary found herself back at Wesley, working the same job she'd held before — but under entirely different conditions. The world had gone digital, and after her boss witnessed her pick up the computer mouse and point it at the screen like a television remote, he laughingly informed her that her training would need some updating. Well into her 50s, Mary proved she could still learn new tricks, mastering enough technology to get the job done with her usual determination. Finally, after many years in that role, she decided she had earned the right to stop learning new tricks altogether and retired.

In addition to raising a family and working, Mary had a natural curiosity about the world and the people in it. She continued her education by taking classes at WSU as well as special interest classes later in life, such as sign language. She was a voracious reader who joined book clubs before they made movies about book clubs. And between classes and jobs she picked up friends everywhere she went. Among her dearest were the Rutledge and Bennett families, with whom she shared the beautiful chaos of raising children side by side. Some friends moved away over the years, which Mary treated less as a loss and more as an excuse to travel. Oregon, England — she followed her people wherever they landed, feeding both her friendships and her lifelong dream of seeing the world. Mary had a particular way of responding to the hard things in her friends' lives. She showed up, not just with kind words, but with her time and her energy. That instinct led her to volunteer with domestic violence shelters, AIDS organizations, groups supporting impoverished women in developing countries, and several other causes close to her heart. She also spent time as a docent at the Mid-America All-Indian Center, to honor the heritage of several friends.

Mary is survived by her husband of almost 64 years, Curtis Newman Jr.; her sons Curtis "Bob" Newman Jr. (Pam) and Charles "Chuck" Newman (Barb); her brother Robert Weatherby Jr. (Alyse); her grandchildren Kasey Rachel (Allen), Ashley Harwood (Mark), Mitch Newman, Kate Sullivan, and Mark Sullivan; and her great-grandchildren Konnor, Kailynn, Jaylah, Jett, Ava. and Jacob.

Mary is further survived by her daughters in her heart, Lora Heit (Karen), Jeannie Satterfield and daughter Jessica, and Christine Keiter (Drew) and twin daughters Riley and Olivia.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved sister, Patricia Prewitt.

A memorial service celebrating Mary's life will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home Wichita West, 3224 N. Tyler Road, Wichita, KS 67205. Family and friends are invited to greet one another following the service.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Mary's deep devotion to her many feathered and furry babies, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Wichita Animal Action League. Donations can be made at waalrescue.org/donate