Micheline Laguilhomie

Micheline LaGuilhomie of Stockbridge passed away suddenly April 27. Born in Paris Aug. 29, 1925 to Roger and Lucienne LaGuilhomie, Ms. LaGuilhomie was a teenager in Paris during the German occupation and joined the French Feminine Armed Forces following the liberation of Paris in August 1944. After the war, she often could be found jitterbugging with her friends to the music of the great big bands of the era, such as Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller.

Micheline led a rich and varied life – working as translator, writer, and educator.  In the early 1960’s she taught French at the Stockbridge School in Lenox, which became the DeSisto School. She later started a small school in Stockbridge based on the ideas of A.S. Neill, a Scottish educator and author known for his school, Summerhill, and its philosophy of freedom from adult coercion, and community self-governance. Ms. LaGuilhomie translated A.S. Neill’s groundbreaking book on education, Summerhill , from English to French.

Just last year she finished a translation of a book on dream interpretation. She wrote an autobiography published in 2018, entitled Gabriel, or the Long Love Affair of the Virgin Mary. The quote at the beginning of the book, by C.G. Jung, perhaps summarizes her quest in life:

“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being. It may even be assumed that just as the unconscious affects us, so the increase in our consciousness affects the unconscious.”

Micheline was unique in her ability to talk with anyone, and always had an interesting idea to expound upon, an opinion or an explanation, Micheline loved to teach people about history and psychology—especially the works of her beloved Carl Jung.

She will be remembered for her vitality, her fashion sense, and her quick step as she walked through Stockbridge or Great Barrington, doing her errands and stopping to talk to friends. She designed and created clothing for many years, which were sold in Boston and New York City, as well as local shops. She loved to travel and until recently went to France yearly.

She had an outgoing, vivacious personality and always a sparkle in her eyes. In a time when people avoid speaking of controversial subjects, she was outspoken, and preserved the art of conversation and debate.

Micheline had a French flair with cuisine, and always made herself a healthy meal with a salad, a glass of wine, some fruit, and one square of chocolate, to be savored during a movie. She was a film buff, and could remember every plot, and every actor and actress. She loved to find fruit in season in markets, or in abandoned orchards, and would make wonderful old-fashioned jam. If you did a good turn for Micheline, you would get a jar of jam.

Ms. LaGuilhomie enjoyed robust health until her last day on earth, going to the food Coop, lunching with friends, and visiting the bookstore in Lenox all on the day before she passed away. She always took great care of her health, walking miles every day in the Berkshire countryside. She loved the area around Eden Hill in Stockbridge where she would forage for Linden flowers for tea. She would sunbathe for a half hour a day as soon as it was warm enough, and loved to bicycle, swim and garden.

She was truly an exceptional woman, a generous friend, a devoted mother and great storyteller, always making us laugh. Ready to help anyone, especially the young.

She was married to Jamie Schmitt, (deceased), an American actor, for more than 10 years. Ms. LaGuilhomie is survived by a daughter, Anouk Schmitt of Lakeville, Conn. (Felix Blaska), and her granddaughter, Fauve Blaska, as well as their son Jean-Marie Schmitt, and his four children, Jesse, Mailys, Livia, and Enzo, who live in France. Micheline loved to travel and went to France yearly until recently

SERVICES – A Celebration of Life will be scheduled later this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Construct where she volunteered: 316A State Rd, Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to the family go to www.finnertyandstevens.com