Mary Lois Caruso Newman was welcomed with open arms into heaven on March 27, 2023. Mary passed at the age of 94 in Hermiston.
She was born on June 19, 1928 in Chicago, Ill. to August and Della Caruso.
In 1934 the Carusos moved to Viento, now Viento State Park, eight miles west of Hood River. Fond memories of Viento were riding with her father to Portland via the old highway to get the light plant repaired. The light plant provided the electricity for the gas station and store, five cabins and their house. She enjoyed walking down to the Columbia River, and walking to Five Point Hill and climbing to the top with her sister to play and pick wildflowers. On their property were trout and sturgeon ponds, numerous roses and beautiful flowers, and fruit trees.
Mary attended school in Hood River. During her school years she played the clarinet, was a majorette, sang in the choir and played various parts in school plays. Mary graduated in 1946. After graduation, she climbed Mt. Hood with her friends. Mary attended Marylhurst College and in 1948 met her future husband, Ben. They were married on Feb. 4, 1950 in Hood River. They began their life together in Klamath Falls and later lived in various cities in Oregon before landing in Hermiston in 1958, where she had lived since.
Mary worked for Consolidated Freightways until March 1962, when she began her career with Pendleton Grain Growers in Hermiston. She spent 31 years with PGG, retiring in 1993 as the office manager. She was involved with the family farm and enjoyed gardening, playing bridge and being involved in her children and grandchildren’s numerous activities and sporting events. Mary had the pleasure of snow birding to Sun City West, Ariz. for many years, were she attended lots of spring training baseball games with her sister, Joan. Over the years she traveled to New York, Chicago, Hawaii, Texas, San Diego, the New England states and Italy.
Mary was deeply devoted to her faith as a member of Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of America for over 60 years. She was a Good Shepherd Auxiliary volunteer, served on the Hermiston Cemetery District board as the secretary for several years and was a former member of the Hermiston Elks Lodge.
She is survived by her sons, Edward “George” Newman (Darlene) and Jeff Newman (Kathy); daughter, Karen Marshall (Randy); sister, Joan Smith (Connie); grandchildren, Greg Newman (Cally), Emily Sumner (Joseph), Noah Newman (fiancee Ashley Self), Theresa Sabuco (Joey), Danielle Newman (fiancee Jacob Garofalo), Jeremy Heyne and Sarah Dynes (Riley); great grandchildren, Jet, Otto, Kacey, Elizabeth, Cameron, Roman, Makenna, Constance, Hayden, Jaiden, Adison and Jaxon.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Newman; her son, William “Mike” Newman; granddaughter, Jessica Newman; her parents, August and Della Caruso; and all of her very special Lab companions, Jetta being her most recent.
“I am home in heaven, dear ones, all pain and grief are over. I am now at peace forever, safely home in heaven at last.”
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, Hermiston.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church building fund or Vange John Memorial Hospice education fund.
Please share memories of Mary with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
