Mae E. Brown

Mae Ellen Brown, 101, beloved Home Economics teacher in Lenox and longtime resident of Housatonic died peacefully Wednesday, July 13, 2016.

Born on October 23, 1914 in Cason, Texas she was the daughter of John and Abbie Williams Hygh.  She attended schools in Cason and Hawkins, Texas graduating and earning her BA from Jarvis Christian College in 1941.  Mae continued her studies in Institutional Management at Kansas State College and received her Master’s Degree in Home Economics from Simmons College in Boston, MA in 1952.

From Boston Mae moved to Lenox, MA where she began her 22 year career as a Home Economics teacher, retiring from the Lenox School District in 1974.  In 1954 she purchased her home in Housatonic where she lived for more than 60 years.  She worked several years for Jennifer House in Great Barrington and was a much sought after seamstress working out of her home in Housatonic.

She was a fully involved and devoted member of the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington since 1960, working on all major church committees as well as representing FCC as a delegate to the UCC National Synod.

She was a member of the Great Barrington Historical Society.

More than 100 community members, family and her former Lenox High students honored Mae at her 100th birthday in October 2014.  She received cards, letters and tributes from her former students as well as others who attended that expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the skills that she taught as well as the positive example she set for them.

In March 2015 Mae was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame of Jarvis Christian College at their annual Alumni Association meeting.

Mae is survived by her grand nephews, grand nieces, great grand nephews, great grand nieces, a host of cousins and a multitude of friends.

She was predeceased by her beloved brother Monicue Hygh in 1993.

A service celebrating Mae’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. Charles VanAusdall.  Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 26th from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Donations in her memory may be made to the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.  To send remembrances or sign the guestbook go to www.finnertyandstevens.com