Mae Ellen Brown, 101, beloved home economics teacher in Lenox and longtime resident of Housatonic, died peacefully on 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 B.A. 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 in 1952. Mae moved to Lenox from Boston 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 the 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 (FCC) in Great Barrington since 1960, working on all major church committees as well as representing FCC as a delegate to the United Church of Christ National Synod. She was a member of the Great Barrington Historical Society. More than 100 community members, family and 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 and expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the skills 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 its annual alumni association meeting.
Mae is survived by her grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews, great-grandnieces, 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 26, at 11 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 26, from 9 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
