Obituary of Kathleen Ann Newcome

Kathleen Ann Newcome, 75 of Mebane, North Carolina, formerly of Pleasant Valley Community, Fairmont passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. She was born in Dayton, Ohio on October 13, 1941 a daughter of the late Thomas J. O’Connor and Myra Ahrens O’Connor. She was a 1959 graduate of Shinnston High School and a 1963 graduate of Fairmont State College with a BA degree in English and Art education. She held teaching positions in Denton MD., and Parkersburg, Clarksburg, and Mannington WV. After raising her two children to school age, she returned to teaching at Fairmont Catholic School, where she helped shape the lives of many successful students. While there she volunteered her time for many extracurricular activities such as yearbook, plays, track, and cross-country. She retired in 2002 with 23 years of service. Outside the school she was involved in the early founding of Hope Shelter for Domestic Violence and the Monongahela Arts Association. She was a member of St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church of Fairmont. Before her recent move to North Carolina, she was very involved with the parish wellness group where she used her art teaching skills to make the parish Fall Festival a success. Her many friends and family will miss the annual Christmas cards featuring watercolor scenes of the Fairmont area. Kathy is survived by her husband and friend of nearly 52 years, Richard R. Newcome of Mebane, NC; two daughters, Melissa C. Hamel and husband Chris of Claypool, Indiana and Dr. Rachel E. Dew of Chapel Hill, NC. Surviving brothers are Thomas M. and Jo O’Connor of Bakersville, NC, Michael J. O’Connor and Kathy DeJong of Fairmont and Stephen L. O’Connor of Fairmont, WV. Sisters include Alice E. Fehlau and her husband Paul of Los Alamos, New Mexico and Mary E. Bates of Fairmont. Grandchildren are Eva and Olivia Dew, Erin, Brandon, Ryan, Adam, Kyle, Joel, and Luke Hamel. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother-in-law Clyde Bates. She will be greatly missed by her entire extended family and many friends. Friends may call at the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont on Sunday, October 30 from 12 o’clock noon until 8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 31, 2016 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church of Fairmont at 10 AM with Rev. Robert Perriello as celebrant. Interment will follow at the West Virginia National Cemetery, Pruntytown, WV. The family request memorial donations to St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 407 Jackson St., Fairmont, WV 26554 or to the American Heart Association, West Virginia Region, 162 Court St., Charleston, WV 25301. Condolences and sympathy’s may be sent to the family at www.FORDFUNERALHOMES.com.