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Mary DEWEY Obituary
Mary Whiteside Dewey passed away peacefully at ActivCare Yorba Linda, CA on June 2, 2021, of natural causes. Born September 19, 1931, in Wilmington, Delaware, she was the daughter of Henryette Stadelman Whiteside and George Morris Whiteside II.
Mary Dewey's colorful garden of life was expansive; the door was open, and the interior, affirming. Her magnetic personality was a blend of intellect, mirth, charm, wit and compassion. She paid homage to convention in an unconventional way, with an eclectic and bohemian style. She drew and painted exquisitely, danced the Charleston, played the banjo, whistled and sang nonstop, created unusually beautiful gardens, reveled in fabric and fashion, skinny-dipped, managed a shotgun, threw unforgettable parties with unforgettable settings and fare, was an exacting seamstress, nurtured her children with the right amount of rein and freedom, valued travel and adventure, celebrated her grandchildren, advocated for women's education, supported her community and was someone you could count on. With her Faith and life philosophy, she was able to turn the bitter into sweet, and hopelessness into hope. She offered her hands, heart and mind to those in need.
Mary arrived in Spokane, WA, in the mid-1950s, traveling from New York City in a "woodie" station wagon with husband Robert Arthur Dewey and infant daughter. She had grown up in Wilmington, Delaware, the daughter of an architect and artist, and had attended Mt Holyoke College. Not particularly prepared for the rugged change of venue, she nonetheless embraced and pioneered a life in Spokane. Four children in four years was a challenge, but she set about the full-time job with concentrated aplomb and gave it all she had. She supported husband Bob through their many years as owners of the Import Market stores and Henny's restaurant. She served as a board member of the Spokane Symphony, Whitworth University, and St George's School, and was one of the founders of WAMPUM. For more than 60 years, she ardently supported arts, education and charitable organizations in Spokane.
When her children went off to college, Mary joined the Women in Transition program at Whitworth College, where she finished her BA degree and subsequently received a Master's in English degree at WSU. She taught in the English Department at Whitworth.
She was a strong woman, build to withstand and prevail, with a constant desire for adventure and discovery. Together with husband Bob, she traveled the world, writing insightful journals with delightful drawings of people and places. As early as the 1970's, they were helicopter skiing in the Bugaboo Mountains and riding crowded overnight trains in India, always hunting for the next destination, the next meal, the next place to stay. The details were never planned in advance!
After her husband passed away, Mary returned to her passion for watercolor painting. With her inestimable awareness of color, balance and composition she created well over 100 paintings and presented several exhibitions. An extensive and beautiful portrait of her life and work was published in the Spokesman Review in 2009. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/may/23/bringing-the-world-to-her-home/.
She leaves a legacy of beauty, hilarity, deep conversations, exquisite environments and memories of generous camaraderie. Her many paintings are cherished by the web of people who own them. She taught us all to pay attention, to see, and to listen.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Arthur Dewey, and brother, George Morris Whiteside III.
Mary is survived by her children Deborah Ann Dewey (former spouse Eric Stanley Westberg), Robert Arthur Dewey, Jr (spouse Katie Gulrich Dewey), David Whiteside Dewey (spouse Addy Lam), and Andrea Dewey (spouse Robert Brian King); her grandchildren Ruth Dewey Mannix, Mark Benjamin Dewey, Nicholas Dewey Westberg, David Anthony King, Morgan Elizabeth King, Natalie Ann Westberg, Carolyn Enyne Dewey and Finnoe Camille Dewey, and great-grandchildren Adam Gabriel Dewey and Emily Lin Dewey.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm, July 16, 2021, at St Stephen's Episcopal Church, 5720 S. Perry St, Spokane. In Mary's honor, please wear color!
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to Whitworth University (https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/administration/institutional-advancement/ways-to-give/), St Stephen's Episcopal Church (https://ststephens.breezechms.com/give/online), St George's School (https://www.sgs.org/f/8084), or the Southern Poverty Law Center (https://www.splcenter.org/support-us).
Mary Dewey's colorful garden of life was expansive; the door was open, and the interior, affirming. Her magnetic personality was a blend of intellect, mirth, charm, wit and compassion. She paid homage to convention in an unconventional way, with an eclectic and bohemian style. She drew and painted exquisitely, danced the Charleston, played the banjo, whistled and sang nonstop, created unusually beautiful gardens, reveled in fabric and fashion, skinny-dipped, managed a shotgun, threw unforgettable parties with unforgettable settings and fare, was an exacting seamstress, nurtured her children with the right amount of rein and freedom, valued travel and adventure, celebrated her grandchildren, advocated for women's education, supported her community and was someone you could count on. With her Faith and life philosophy, she was able to turn the bitter into sweet, and hopelessness into hope. She offered her hands, heart and mind to those in need.
Mary arrived in Spokane, WA, in the mid-1950s, traveling from New York City in a "woodie" station wagon with husband Robert Arthur Dewey and infant daughter. She had grown up in Wilmington, Delaware, the daughter of an architect and artist, and had attended Mt Holyoke College. Not particularly prepared for the rugged change of venue, she nonetheless embraced and pioneered a life in Spokane. Four children in four years was a challenge, but she set about the full-time job with concentrated aplomb and gave it all she had. She supported husband Bob through their many years as owners of the Import Market stores and Henny's restaurant. She served as a board member of the Spokane Symphony, Whitworth University, and St George's School, and was one of the founders of WAMPUM. For more than 60 years, she ardently supported arts, education and charitable organizations in Spokane.
When her children went off to college, Mary joined the Women in Transition program at Whitworth College, where she finished her BA degree and subsequently received a Master's in English degree at WSU. She taught in the English Department at Whitworth.
She was a strong woman, build to withstand and prevail, with a constant desire for adventure and discovery. Together with husband Bob, she traveled the world, writing insightful journals with delightful drawings of people and places. As early as the 1970's, they were helicopter skiing in the Bugaboo Mountains and riding crowded overnight trains in India, always hunting for the next destination, the next meal, the next place to stay. The details were never planned in advance!
After her husband passed away, Mary returned to her passion for watercolor painting. With her inestimable awareness of color, balance and composition she created well over 100 paintings and presented several exhibitions. An extensive and beautiful portrait of her life and work was published in the Spokesman Review in 2009. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/may/23/bringing-the-world-to-her-home/.
She leaves a legacy of beauty, hilarity, deep conversations, exquisite environments and memories of generous camaraderie. Her many paintings are cherished by the web of people who own them. She taught us all to pay attention, to see, and to listen.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Arthur Dewey, and brother, George Morris Whiteside III.
Mary is survived by her children Deborah Ann Dewey (former spouse Eric Stanley Westberg), Robert Arthur Dewey, Jr (spouse Katie Gulrich Dewey), David Whiteside Dewey (spouse Addy Lam), and Andrea Dewey (spouse Robert Brian King); her grandchildren Ruth Dewey Mannix, Mark Benjamin Dewey, Nicholas Dewey Westberg, David Anthony King, Morgan Elizabeth King, Natalie Ann Westberg, Carolyn Enyne Dewey and Finnoe Camille Dewey, and great-grandchildren Adam Gabriel Dewey and Emily Lin Dewey.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm, July 16, 2021, at St Stephen's Episcopal Church, 5720 S. Perry St, Spokane. In Mary's honor, please wear color!
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to Whitworth University (https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/administration/institutional-advancement/ways-to-give/), St Stephen's Episcopal Church (https://ststephens.breezechms.com/give/online), St George's School (https://www.sgs.org/f/8084), or the Southern Poverty Law Center (https://www.splcenter.org/support-us).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Jul. 4, 2021.
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