Sr. Maureen Ellen Newman
April 16, 1945 - July 9, 2025
Obituary
Sr. Maureen Newman, SP
Sr. Maureen Ellen Newman died on July 9, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, Wash., at 80 years of age, after 60 years as a Sister of Providence. Vigil Service: Friday, July 25, 2025, 3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Residence, Chapel, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle, Washington. Funeral Mass: Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., Providence Mount St. Vincent, Chapel, 4831 35th Ave SW, Seattle, Washington. Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Seattle Wash., at 1:45 p.m. Bonney-Watson Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington, is in charge of the arrangements.
Sr. Maureen was born into a close-knit and faith-filled Irish Catholic family on April 16, 1945 in Spokane, Washington. to parents, Harold Benedict and Ruth Esther (Martin) Newman. She joined her older sister, Alicia Kay and later welcomed her younger brother, Joseph. Sr. Maureen had many warm memories of growing up encircled by faith, love and her family.
At a young age, Sister Maureen was impacted by observing others being treated unjustly. Through her family life and education, she saw the common thread of the presence of the Sisters of Providence and their works of mercy. In high school at Holy Names Academy, Seattle, Wash., Sr. Maureen began to feel she had a calling to religious life. She chose to join the Sisters of Providence community in 1964, receiving First Vows in 1967 and Final Vows in 1975. She liked how the Sisters of Providence are very service oriented, forward thinking, and serving the poor.
Her academic accomplishments included: BA in Education, Seattle University, 1972; and a Standard Education Certification in History, Seattle University, 1975.
Sr. Maureen always wanted to be a teacher. She stated, “Teaching can be a tool to help people get out of poverty.” She loved the diversity of her students, which she found enriching. As an educator, she ministered at: St. Michael School, Olympia, Wash. (1969-70, 1971-72); St. Joseph School, Vancouver, Wash. (1973-78); and St. Therese School, Seattle (1978-2001). Sr. Maureen was always determined to live her faith and share her boundless passion for the less fortunate. She spent several summers working in day care centers for migrant workers, tutoring Hmong tribespeople, and visiting Central America to foster justice, peace and friendship. She also ministered on the Sisters’ Leadership Team (2010-14). Her board service included Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation and Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) Northwest. She was a frequent and eager volunteer for many organizations and could be found sharing her voice and presence at rallies supporting many causes.
Sr. Maureen was blessed with a beautiful and loving smile, kindness, gratefulness and deep compassion. She cherished the journey she had been on since childhood, opposing injustice, and promoting peace and non-violence. She loved life and was thankful for the gift of her family, and her many friends. She had a passion that lived in her heart for her religious community. Sr. Maureen liked to share stories of her childhood and her many works of mercy. She will be immensely missed.
Her parents and two nephews, Kelly and Casey Newman preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Alicia Kay Newman, her brother, Joseph Newman, sister-in-law, Nancy Davis, her extended family, and her religious community.
Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, M1-C, Renton, WA 98057-9016; Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, 2811 S. 102nd Street, Suite 220, Tukwila, WA 98168; or Safe Crossings Foundation, 4210 SW Oregon St, Suite H, Seattle, WA 98116.
It was such a joy to share life with Maureen! We were proud of our shared eastern Washington farming roots, and the curriculum development work we did for the Archdiocese of Seattle Catholic Schools. When Maureen went to prison for her involvement in the peace movement, I promised to dedicate my yoga practice to her, and have, these many years. It was a grace to visit her often during her recent years at SJR. There is a hole in my heart, that will be filled when we meet again. My sympathies are with her family and religious community.
I taught with Sr. Maureen at St. Joseph School in Vancouver in the mid 1970’s when she had a 3rd grade class and I a 4th grade. Our classrooms were next door to each other. She seemed to have endless energy and to often speak out on what she believed was the right thing to do. But I see from the obituary in the newspaper that she was just getting started on a long life of service to others. May she test in peace now after such an admirable life.