Mary E. Brown, of New Bedford died February 7, 2009 at St. Luke's Hospital peacefully surrounded by her children and their families.
She was the wife of the late Richard J. Brown.
Born in New Bedford on August 14, 1916, the daughter of the late Ralph and Margaret (Birmingham) Brown, she lived in New Bedford all of her life.
She, like her husband, retired as a teacher from the New Bedford Public Schools. Mrs. Brown spent most of her career as a second grade teacher at Mt. Pleasant School. She was a graduate of New Bedford High School and Bridgewater State College. She was a charter member and a past president of St. Mary's Women's Guild, a past volunteer at the Zeiterion Theater and a member of many bowling leagues. During retirement, she was a volunteer reading teacher at St. Mary's School.
Survivors include her 4 sons, Richard M. Brown and his wife Jean of Dartmouth, Robert A. Brown and his wife Nancy and Ralph D. Brown and his wife Donna, of Acushnet, Paul F. Brown and his wife Cheryl of Hudson; a daughter, Mary Lou Schuler and her husband Paul Souza of Mattapoisett; 11 grandchildren, Rick, Kimberly, Mark, Christine, Robert, Kara, Jessica, Richard and Jacqueline Brown, William and Carolyn Schuler; 9 great-grandchildren.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 10th at 10 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church. Burial will follow at Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted. Remembrances may be made to the Veterans Transition House, 33 Willis St. New Bedford, MA 02740 or to the Dartmouth Grange, Fisher Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02748.