Mary L Newcomb

Our beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Mary Ellen Laffey Newcomb, went home to the Lord on January 10, 2021.  Mary is survived by her husband, Richard, and their four children:  Maura McAnney (Jon), Erin Schmalzle (Marc) Tara DuBois (Tom)& Rich (Marie). Mary is also survived by her 11 grandchildren:  Alyssa McAnney Rosner (Marcel), Shannon (Ben Richardson), Catherine, Scott, Austin, David, Richard, Ian, Michael, Katie, and Emily and her siblings Kathleen Kane (Seamus), Willie (Evelyn), and Joe. 

Mary was born in Lettergesh East, Connemara, County Galway, Ireland on May 28, 1935.  She was the second oldest child of Michael and Katie Laffey. She had a wonderful childhood on the Wild Atlantic coast of Ireland with her siblings Michael John (Nora), Tommy (Eileen), Joe, Willie (Evelyn) & Kathleen (Seamus).  Mary emigrated to the US on July 11, 1953, to join her brother Mike. Mary and Mike later welcomed her brother Tommy to the US.  An avid learner who believed strongly in the importance of education, Mary completed her high school education while working at her aunt's bar.  Encouraged to go on a blind date by a friend, she met Richard Newcomb, who would become her husband on June 24, 1961.  She worked tirelessly as an administrative assistant for a lawyer at LILCO, helping to put Richard through college and graduate school, later proudly becoming the executive assistant to the District Attorney where she developed her sharp legal acumen.  While raising children, Mary earned her associate degree, and worked part-time, first at Welcome Wagon and later becoming a real estate broker and entrepreneur.  For many years, Mary owned and managed many apartments, where she'd often be found painting walls, fixing plumbing, climbing on the roof, and making friends with the tenants.  She was well-loved and respected by everyone she knew and provided an eager ear and warm hug wherever she could. Mary's ability to manage money and her uncanny knack for real estate allowed Mary & Richard to take their family back to Ireland many summers, eventually building a cottage on her family property in Connemara. In retirement, Mary and Richard spent significant time in Ireland every year to visit with her siblings and many nieces and nephews. Mary enjoyed golfing with friends at their home in Florida. After a courageous battle with breast cancer, Mary returned to top form, playing bridge, bocce, and regularly golfing 18 holes up until her passing. Mary was never happier than when she could help her children, grandchildren, and friends in any way – big or small.  Mary lived life with a twinkle and endless energy - always ready to learn something new, happily sing a song, or share a funny story.  

Mary was deeply faithful and believed in the power of prayer.  Mary loved this prayer and said it daily:

Angel of God my guardian dear

to whom God's love commits me here

ever this day be at my side

to light and guard

to rule and guide

Mary’s life story was filled with so many things: family, friends, and golf to name a few, but it doesn’t end here. Her story carries on through those she greatly impacted and continue to love her beyond measure; we will miss her more than words can ever say.  To live in a world without Mary's beauty and Irish lilt will be a quieter world indeed.  We love her so very much. 

While we are truly heartbroken that she is no longer with us on earth, we know that she is with her parents, her brothers Mike and Tommy, and many other family members and friends who went before her, including her beloved best friend and sister-in-law Nora.  This summer, we will be bringing Mary home to Ireland one last time where we will remember her with joy.  If you would like, please make a donation in Mary’s name to Hospice https://suncoasthospicefoundation.org/donations/  where she spent many years working at the hospice shop.  

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