Columbus
Martha May (Marty) Newsom, 89, passed away on July 15, 2017 at Kindred North in Indianapolis. She was a resident of Four Seasons Retirement Home in Columbus, where she lived for the past 10 years.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Mary and Frank Newsom.
Her sister, Mary Beth Newsom Shymkus of Espanola, New Mexico survives. Also surviving are nephew, David Shymkus (Pamela) of Columbus, and niece Lisa Shymkus Jones (Randall) of Espanola, New Mexico.
Marty graduated from Columbus High School in 1945, followed by graduation at Franklin College, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. While finishing her senior year at Franklin, she accepted a job as Director of the Columbus Girl’s Club. Her responsibilities were many and varied, working at the Club, and summers directing the Columbus Youth Camp for girls.
She was an adventurous person, wanting to travel and see the world.
She then accepted the director’s job at the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Girl’s Club. She left the job to receive her Master’s degree at Ohio University. She then served in executive positions for Girl’s Club of America in Los Angeles, California and New York City. During that period the name Girl’s Clubs of America was officially changed to Girl’s lnc.
Her last posting before retirement was in Indianapolis, again serving in an executive capacity.
Marty was an avid traveler, seeking new places to visit. Her favorite destinations were Taos, New Mexico and Sanibel Island, Florida. She was a basketball fan, never missing a play-off game. She was an active member of the Psi Iota Xi Auxiliary, chairperson of the Welcoming Committee for Four Seasons and enthusiastic birdwatcher. She was a member of the Columbus First Presbyterian Church.
Marty received many awards during her career. Franklin College presented her with an Alumni Citation. The state of Indiana awarded her a Sagamore of the Wabash, and most recently she was given a prestigious award by Columbus High School.
She kept in touch with all her friends, including high school, college, and most recently her dear friends at Four Seasons.
She will be missed by her many nieces, nephew and cousins.
A memorial service will be held in the Four Seasons Chapel in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Franklin College, Girl’s lnc., 120 Wall Street, New York, New York 100005-3902 and the First Presbyterian Church in Columbus. Inurnment will be at the First Presbyterian Church Columbarium.
The family will receive online condolences at: www.Hathaway-Myers.com.
Hathaway-Myers Chapel is serving the Newsom family.
