Mary Kathleen Newcomb, nee Dooley, born October 19, 1943, in West Bend, Wisconsin, was a traveler, writer, artist (and member of the Cedarburg Arts Guild), and activist. She visited 48 states, 16 countries, and five continents. She was special assistant to the president of the Milwaukee Common Council, community organizer, chief of staff of the Milwaukee County Board, adjunct professor at Waukesha County Technical College, project director for International Health Training Center, and a part-time concierge at Hilton Milwaukee City Center.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts from College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Master of Arts degree from Marquette University. She also studied at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, Mexico, and the George Meany Center for Labor Studies in Washington D.C.

Her greatest joy was raising her two daughters, Kathleen Kelley Newcomb and Maureen Dooley Newcomb-Sadler (Jeff Sadler) and seeing them develop into accomplished professionals and advocates for justice and kindness. She was blessed with five grandchildren she adored: Bridget Elizabeth Sadler, Aidan James Sadler, Quinn Patrick Sadler, Dillon Robert Moakley, and Wyatt Daniel Moakley.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Newcomb, parents, William and Kathleen Dooley, her brothers John and William Dooley, and her nephew Eric Eid. She will be deeply missed by her siblings Patricia Eid, Thomas Dooley, and Michael Dooley; and many additional family members and beloved friends.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 1-3:30pm at Eernisse Funeral Home, located at 1167 Washington Avenue, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. A Mass of Christian Burial  will be on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 2pm, at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church, located at 8661 N. 76th Place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund in Mary's name will be established to benefit arts education. Please visit the following Caring Bridge page for more information: www.caring-bridge.org/visit/marykathleennewcomb.