Mary Newby Schemnitz

Mary Newby Schemnitz, 85, died Friday, January 14, 2011. She was born February 26, 1925 at Englewood, Kansas to J.C. and Olive Newby. She is survived by her husband, Sanford (Las Cruces) her sister, Ruth Denney (Tennessee), her daughter, Ellen Legge, her grandchildren, Alden and Emma (Berino), and her son, Stuart (Las Cruces). She was preceded in death by her son, Steve. Mary grew up on a dairy farm and was proficient in hand milking cows. She graduated from Mulhall High School, Oklahoma. During World War II she worked long hours at a Boeing airplane plant in Wichita Kansas. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master degree from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater where she served as Assistant to the Dean of Women. She taught typing at Harrah High School, Oklahoma. She married her husband, Sanford, at Madelia, Minnesota on July 7, 1958. They would have celebrated their 53rd anniversary this year. Mary, Sanford, and their children, Ellen, Steve and Stuart arrived in Las Cruces in 1975. Her favorite hobbies were bird watching and raising and training her beloved bird dogs. She enjoyed spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren and also took great pleasure in spending time with Denise Briggs and Allyson Lucht. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. At Mary's request cremation has taken place and a private family ceremony celebrating her life will be held. PDF Printable Version