Mary Catherine Newkirk

Mary Catherine Newkirk

Marengo

Mary Catherine Newkirk, 85, passed away Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in North Liberty, Iowa.

Mary is survived by her children, Denise (Randy) Salm of Tipton, Iowa, Scott Newkirk, of Paris, Iowa, and Lynette (Edward) Sheehan, of Fair Haven, N.J.; two grandchildren, Matthew Sheehan of Marina Del Rey, Calif., and Stephanie Sheehan of Miami, Fla.; a brother, David (Marlene) Mahoney of Washington, Mo.; two sisters, Elizabeth (Thomas) Luce of Claremore, Okla., and Patricia Sparks of Clinton, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold Alan Newkirk; her infant son, Paul Joseph; and five brothers: William, James, George, Robert and Dennis.

Mary Catherine (Mahoney) Newkirk was born Sept. 8, 1936, in Clinton, Iowa, the daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Dixon) Mahoney. She was the second oldest of nine children. She married Harold Alan Newkirk on June 28, 1958, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The couple met after Harold returned from serving four years in the U.S. Navy and Mary was attending Paris Academy of Beauty. They moved to Marengo, Iowa, to raise their family. In 1970, Mary founded Marengo Fabric Shop with her dear friend, Vava Heller. Mary took an active role in community affairs, at one time serving as president of the Marengo Chamber of Commerce, and volunteering as both Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother. Additionally, she and Harold were active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the Ladies Aid.

After selling the Fabric Shop, Mary worked as receptionist for The University of Iowa College of Dentistry in Iowa City, Iowa. Shortly after retiring, Harold and Mary sold the family home and moved to Marion, Iowa. They began escaping the Iowa cold as “Winter Texans.” Eventually they moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, to experience the year-round warmth.

Mary was a gifted seamstress, avid gardener and amateur oil painter. Together, Harold and Mary enjoyed golfing, fishing, bridge and crosswords.

A graveside committal service welcoming family and friends will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, at Marengo Memorial Cemetery, 2242 U.S. 6, Marengo, with Pastor Andrew Gray officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed toward Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.