Cover photo for Mary Beth Shymkus's Obituary
Mary

Mary Beth Shymkus

d. December 14, 2021

Mary Beth Newsom Shymkus, age 89 of Espanola, New Mexico passed away on December 14, 2021. She was preceded in death by husband Harold (Hal) Shymkus, parents Frank and Mary Newsom, and sister Martha May Newsom of Columbus, Indiana. Mary Beth was born and raised in Bartholomew County, Columbus, Indiana. She graduated from Columbus High School and continued her education at Franklin College where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. She met her husband, Hal Shymkus at Franklin College and they were married on September 16, 1951 After marriage, the couple moved to the Chicago area for four years before moving back to Columbus, Indiana. She was a member of the Psi Iota Xi, Zonta International, and First Presbyterian Church in Columbus. They had two children, David (Pamela), and Lisa Shymkus (Randal Jones). David and Pamela remained in Columbus and Lisa and Randall live in New Zealand. Grandchildren are Nicholas Jones and Emily Jones, Lauren Shymkus, and Jenna Voelz. Three great grandchildren reside in Columbus. A niece and nephew live in Kentucky, and another niece lives in Illinois. Cousins Linda Butler and Barbara Mote live in Indiana. Mary Beth worked for twenty-one years for the Columbus Parks and Recreation department in a variety of jobs from teaching fitness classes to community outreach programs. She retired in 1992. Hal and Mary Beth moved to Espanola, New Mexico in 1993. They were highly active in the community and belonged to New Mexico Writers and Photographer’s Guild. Mary Beth was a member and Officer of Amantes De Flores Garden Club, a twenty-two-year member of the Presbyterian Espanola Hospital Auxiliary. She was awarded Volunteer of the Year and served as President and Director of Volunteer Services. She was also awarded Espanola’s Citizen of the Year. Mary Beth was a member of the Espanola Valley Opera Guild and a long-time member and Silver Sneakers instructor at Gino’s Gym in Espanola. Hal and Mary Beth were active members of the Valley View United Methodist Church where she still attended. A memorial service is planned in early 2022 at Valley View United Methodist Church, Espanola, New Mexico. Cremation arrangements are being managed by DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola and interment will be at the First Presbyterian Church Columbarium in Columbus, Indiana. In lieu of flowers memorials in Mary Beth’s name can be made to a local charity of your choice.

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