Mary Posey New

Vibrant. Vivacious. Artistic. Effervescent. Mary Posey New’s light touched everyone she met and those in her life were blessed to share in the joy she naturally exuded. Mary had a strong presence that brightened every room she was in and it’s this that makes her passing on April 14, 2023 at the age of 83 bittersweet for all who knew her.

Born on September 2, 1939, in Montgomery, Alabama to Alfred Crawford Posey and Ruth Jeannette Picket Posey, Mary Michael Posey New grew to have great passions for many things in life – her family, her church and community, and art in all its forms were her greatest.

Mary had four beautiful children with her former husband, the late John Clifford New. She went on to successfully raise her three surviving children, daughter Ashley Fisher and sons John “Cliff” and Shawn New, as a single mother who supported her children in all their endeavors. As a single mother in the 1980s, Mary was resourceful and often set aside her own needs to ensure her children grew to have opportunities to succeed in their passions and, above all, to know limitless love and support.

Her church and community were the keystones of Mary’s spiritual and professional life. In 1986, Mary joined the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where she was the first director and worked for 18 years to coordinate volunteers and office staff who designed, planned and facilitated the board’s community activities. During that time, she had the pleasure of working with multiple well-known, accomplished individuals such as Margaret Thatcher, Barbara and George H. Bush, Colin Powell and others to bring awareness to the Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

From performing in her church choir to serving as a Sunday School teacher, Mary was an integral part of the ministries she was involved in. Mary had a strong calling to help those in need. She was a certified caregiver for Stephen’s Ministry through the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and was a mentor with the City Rescue Mission organization.

As an alumnus of the New York School of the Arts, Mary was a true artist who brought an eye for beauty into everything she did. Mary was known for her oil painting, watercolor, sketch and calligraphy talent, and she found artistic joy and inspiration in food, animals and flowers. Mary could paint with words, finding beauty in the underused and descriptive words of the English language. Mary was also an accomplished events floral and décor specialist and was a master in hosting and entertaining.

Mary is preceded in death by her eldest infant son, Jonathan Michael, and parents Mrs. and Mr. Posey. She is survived by her children and grandchildren: daughter Ashley Fisher and son-in-law Mark Fisher of Brooksville, Florida, and grandson Christopher “Kit” Fisher and his wife Audrey Fisher of Melbourne, Florida; son John “Cliff” New, Jr., daughter-in-law Caitlin New, and granddaughters Evelyn and Emily New of Austin, Texas; son Shawn New, daughter-in-law Mercede New, and grandson Eli New of Jacksonville, Florida. Surviving siblings are Carol Duguid of Jacksonville, Florida and Pat Williams of Atlanta, Georgia.

Mary’s celebration of life will take place on May 27, 2023, 11 a.m. at River City Church in Jacksonville, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mary’s honor to The Women’s Board at Wolfsons Children’s Hospital. Please indicate the Woman’s Board Cavert legacy endowment. https://giving.baptistjax.com/give/288263/#!/donation/checkout