Mary Isabelle Hewett

Mary Isabelle Hewett, 92, died with family present March 6, 2025 at a Wind Crest Retirement Community, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. On her path to heaven, her life’s work was her family. She was married sixty-eight years to Jim Hewett. Their union produced seven children, sixteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Her quiet involvement in each of their lives will be a blessing all will cherish forever..

Mary Assman was born on November 6, 1932, at her Aunt Gladys Wagner’s house in Winner, South Dakota. She was the eldest child of Donald and Johanna Assman, who were ranchers in Todd County, South Dakota. The family later moved to Tripp County, settling on a farm near the original Assman homestead, now owned by Denny and Jane Assman. 

Mary grew up alongside her younger siblings: Charles, twins Donald and Darlene, Jimmy and Stanley. As the oldest, she took on many responsibilities, including helping her mother with gardening and canning and assisting with chores on the farm. She often recalled rocking her younger siblings to sleep. 

When Mary was ten, the family moved to the Jury place, which had a large house but no electricity until 1950. Life on the farm was demanding, with water carried in buckets and kerosene lamps lighting the home. She once accidentally gave kerosene to the turkeys instead of water, leading to an unfortunate end for the flock—an incident that led her to focus more on indoor tasks. 

Mary had a keen sense of style from an early age. She took it upon herself to ensure her little sister dressed properly, even creating a color-coordination chart to prevent any fashion mishaps. As an adult this carried to her interest in fashion and always dressing stylish and current.

She attended St. Mary's Catholic School for her elementary years, boarding there during the week while her father drove her home on weekends. Mary later graduated from Winner High School in 1950 and attended the University of South Dakota for one semester before marrying her sweetheart, Jim Hewett, in 1951.

Mary and Jim shared a life filled with adventure, resilience, and unwavering love. Their journey together took them across the country, building a family along the way. They welcomed their first children, Robert and Cinda, while living in Washington, before moving to Denver, where Michael and Bruce were born. They lived in Longmont, Colorado, where their son Monte was born in 1961. 

Their path then led them to Kentucky, where they experienced both joy and heartbreak. In 1963, they suffered the devastating loss of their eldest son, Bob, to a congenital heart defect. Despite this tragedy, their family continued to grow with the births of Holly in 1965 and Kimberly in 1967. 

After years of moving across the country, Mary and Jim ultimately settled in Littleton, Colorado, where they built a life together for more than fifty years. Jim thrived as a salesman and small business owner, while Mary poured her energy into creating a warm and welcoming home. She was deeply involved in her community, balancing her roles as a devoted mother and an active volunteer. Over the years, she worked at Merchants Greeters and The Denver, always bringing her kindness and grace to those she encountered.

She loved entertaining big and small. Having friends over a drink to throwing pool parties, bridge nights, open houses on Thanksgiving and Christmas. She would host team feeds for boxing and soccer teams. Although she had a full house, people passing through town would often stay with them. It is a legacy she passed on to her own children. Later in life she would always show up early with an appetizer to help set a holiday table or arrange flowers.

Beyond her family, Mary was a pillar of her community. Faith played a central role in Mary’s life, and she and her family remained longtime parishioners of St. Mary Catholic Church. She gave her time generously to the parish, participating in Bible study, Stevens Ministry, and countless other church activities.

As their children grew and started families of their own, Mary and Jim found great joy in celebrating weddings and welcoming grandchildren into their lives. Mary adored being a grandmother and never missed an opportunity to support her grandchildren’s activities, traveling across the country or around the world to see them. One of her greatest traditions was the annual family reunion in Winter Park, a cherished gathering that spanned over forty years. Each August, she started every morning by making breakfast for everyone, filling the condo with the warmth of her love and laughter.

She was a dedicated member of Platte Canyon Sertoma, served on the board for Doctor’s Care, and was affiliated with the Colorado Brigade of Kentucky Colonels. She and Jim were also active members of both the Carousel Dance Club and the Outpost Dance Club, sharing their love of music and dancing with friends. No matter where she was, Mary had a gift for making new friends, always leaving a lasting impression with her warmth and sincerity. 

Jim passed away in 2019, bringing to a close their remarkable 68-year marriage. Their love story was one of deep devotion, resilience, and joy—a legacy that lives on in their children, grandchildren, and all who had the privilege of knowing Mary. She was a woman of grace and strength, beloved by all who met her, and her memory will be cherished forever.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 

❖ Husband Robert James “Jim” Hewett
❖ Brothers Charles Assman and Donald Assman Jr
❖ Son Robert William Hewett
❖ Granddaughter Amelia Mary Hewett

Surviving family

Siblings: sister Darlene Joan Engbrecht, brother Harold James Assman, brother Stanley Assman.

Six Children: daughter Cinda Pierce and husband Dan of Springfield, Oregon; son Michael Hewett
of Denver, Colorado; son Bruce Hewett and wife Kristin of Vacaville, California; son Monte Hewett
of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter Holly McNamara of Denver, Colorado; daughter Kimberly Brouillette
and husband Kevin of Littleton, Colorado;

Fifteen grandchildren: Bethany Brandt and husband Austin, Haylee Hess and husband Drew,
Andrew Hewett, Laura O’Mary and husband Josh, Shelley Fisher and husband Tommy, Megan
Downen and husband Travis, Cole McNamara, Emily McNamara, John Brouillette, Nicholas
Hewett, Matthew Brouillette, Caitlyn Hewett, Michael Brouillette, Grace Mary Brouillette, Hazel
Hewett.

Eight Great Grandchildren: Alexa Brandt, Heidi Brandt, Rocco Aratari, Mary James Fisher,
Thomas Fisher; Holly Hess, JP O’Mary, Louie Downen and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Arrangement information

All events are open to anyone wishing to attend.

❖ Funeral Mass: Friday, March 28, 2025 at 12 noon at St. Mary Catholic Church, 6853 S
Prince St, Littleton, CO 80120.
❖ Reception after funeral -Pinehurst Country Club 6255 W Quincy Ave, Denver, CO 80235
❖ Vigil and Recitation of rosary: Thursday March 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM at Drinkwine Family
Mortuary, 999 West Littleton Boulevard, Littleton, Colorado, 80120.
❖ Mailing address for physical correspondence: Mary Hewett c/o Kim Brouillette 5113 Tule
Lake Drive, Littleton, Colorado 80123
❖ Those who wish to remember Mary in a special way may make a gift in her memory to:
Doctors Care, 609 W Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80120. doctorscare.org/get-involved/#donate

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