Mary Ann Newsam

Mary Ann Newsam, 71, passed away on July 31, 2026, at Regency Care in Springfield, Illinois. She was born on August 17, 1954, in Alexandria, Minnesota, where she spent the first three years of her life before the family moved to Peoria, Illinois. She was the cherished daughter of Jay Horace and Mary (Kelley) Newsam – the second of three children. Exemplifying her courage and confidence, Mary Ann was the first of the kids to strike out on her own after achieving her Laboratory Technician Associate’s Degree from Illinois Central College. She moved to Springfield, Illinois, to accept a job at St. John’s Hospital where she remained for four years. After a brief sojourn working at a cancer clinic near Denver, Colorado, she moved back to Springfield and worked for over 30 years before retiring at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

People naturally gravitated toward Mary Ann due to her infectious sense of humor and steadfast loyalty. A natural outgrowth of Mary Ann’s beloved Irish heritage was her love of partying with friends (Bud Light, anyone?). Mary Ann LOVED her dogs but snakes not so much. She was a master gardener (there was no seed she could not grow), and a strong believer in her Catholic faith. Mary Ann was a powerful athlete and enjoyed channeling her competitive spirit into a game of softball with friends. It was truly a special gift to receive an intricately embroidered Christmas tree skirt or sequined ornament from her talented hands. Even with some mobility challenges later in life from osteoarthritis, she was fiercely independent and lived by her mottos of: “I can do that” and “I’ll fix it”.

Mary Ann is survived by her siblings, John (Anne) Newsam of Naples, Florida and Beth (Michael) Brunk of Urbana, Illinois; nieces, Carlie (Ronnie) Haar of Naples, Florida, and Katie (Max) Layman of Lancaster, South Carolina; great-nephews, Ronnie Haar and Patrick Layman; many cousins; and beloved dog, Finny.

Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield, Illinois. A public prayer service will precede the gathering at 3:45 p.m. with Fr. Al Kemme officiating.

The family will host a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Church of the Little Flower, 800 Stevenson Dr., Springfield, Illinois.

A private interment will take place at a later date in the Resurrection Mausoleum in Peoria, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to the Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment or an organization of the donor’s choice.

Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.