(Nee Newcomer) Of Milwaukee, died July 17, 2014 at the age of 96. Proud mother of David (Karen), Steven (Nenita), and James (Katherine Stackpoole). Dear grandmother of Stevie and Amy. Survived by a sister (Phyllis) as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Preceded in death by her loving husband Charles for 58 years, her father (Reuben), mother (Lydia Anne), foster parents Otis and Nina Tenant, brothers Dean, Vern, Bill, Robert, Paul, Lloyd, and sister Katherine.
Mae was born on February 25, 1918 on her parent’s farm in North Liberty, Indiana, in a house with no indoor plumbing or electricity. She told her family her trips to the outhouse during the winter were very fast and during bath time a tub would be placed in front of the open wood stove door. Mae spent her youth milking cows, harrowing fields with two mules named Pete and Jack, driving a hay wagon when the alfalfa was ready for harvest, riding her big mare, and helping her parents with gardening, cooking, canning, and other house chores. The family enjoyed her recollections of being chased by a bull while picking flowers in a neighbor’s field. She attended a country school during her elementary years and a high school in North Liberty, playing basketball and participating in all the class plays. In 1936, she attended a 3-year nurse’s school at St. Joseph’s Hospital, enduring 12-hour days of classes and nursing. After graduating in 1939, Mae moved to Michigan City and worked in a hospital operating room for 3 ½ years.
In 1942, Mae joined the U.S. Army’s Nurse Corps, went through boot camp, trained mostly in California, and also served in Illinois and Tennessee. In 1945, she was sent for overseas training and nursing work in the Philippines where at one point she was in charge of 500 nurses. Mae told the family stories of her time in Manila and Luzon where she would get thrilling training rides from Air Force pilots (some she dated) as their B-17s would hedge hop their way back to Clark Airbase or practice water landings in PBY Catalinas. She told the family how she slept on bunks with mosquito netting as large insects and little gecko lizards would be all around her. Showers were taken during the day when the sun would warm the pipes as there was no hot water. She spent 30 days on a hospital ship caring for wounded soldiers upon her return from the Philippines and reached the rank of Captain. Mae then spent a peace time year in the Army at a VA Hospital in Illinois while trying to decide what she wanted to do.
After her Army discharge, Mae decided to attend Indiana University under the G.I. Bill and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Prior to graduation, Mae also worked at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where she organized and initiated a nurse’s training program in operating room techniques. The same year she was on the staff for the track hospital at the Indianapolis 500. She met Charles during her time at Indiana University, which he was also attending for his Ph.D. in physical education, and married him in 1953 at St. Patrick’s Church in South Bend, IN.
Mae then moved to Milwaukee when Charles accepted a teaching position with Marquette University where he taught for 31 years and coached golf and soccer. During that time, Mae worked as an operating nurse for the old Deaconess Hospital until the first of her three sons was born in 1954. The next 14 years were happy years for Mae as she raised her family. She returned to work as a substitute teacher at the former St. Therese Parish School and then took a job as a research nurse in the OB clinic and maternity ward at the former Milwaukee County Hospital until the grant money ran out. Mae’s final place of employment was at St. Camillus Health Center where she worked for 20 years as a staff nurse, In-Service Director, Assistant Director of Nursing, and finally Director of Nursing. After her retirement from nursing, Mae occupied her time with family and friends.
Mae was a devoted wife and loving, nurturing mother to her three sons. Mae told her family that she chose nursing because her foster parents couldn’t afford to send her to college and she didn’t need money to go into nursing at the time as nurses worked their way through training. However, it was a profession that was well-suited for her. Mae always thought of others before herself and took a lot of satisfaction in making patients comfortable and relaxed, knowing she had a part in their returning home. Mae also loved cooking and baking for family and friends and was most happy cooking for family when they were together for holidays. Mae’s happiest moments were her wedding day, the births of her sons, and their wedding days.
The family wishes to extend their deep appreciation to the staff of The Village at Manor Park and Allay Home & Hospice for their care of and compassion for our mom.
A memorial service will be held on August 16, 2014 at 11 am at ST JUDE THE APOSTLE CHURCH, 800 Glenview Ave., Wauwatosa, with visitation from 10 am until the time of the service. Mae will join her husband Charles in a private burial at Most Precious Blood Church Cemetery in New London, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family or St. Jude the Apostle Church are appreciated.
