Mary T. (Fitzgerald) Brown

Mary (Fitzgerald) Brown, 75, passed on peacefully Sunday, June 7, 2015, at home, surrounded by her family. She was born in Hartford, CT to the late John and Mary (Gately) Fitzgerald. A graduate of Cathedral High School, she received her Bachelor�s Degree from the Elms College, her Master�s Degree in Education from Lesley College, and did additional post-graduate work at area colleges. Mary worked as a teacher in the Springfield school system, retiring after 31 years. She was a communicant of St. Michael�s Church, East Longmeadow, where she facilitated a reflection group for many years and co-facilitated evenings of Taize. She also was a lector and Eucharistic minister. Mary was certified as a spiritual companion in her retirement years and was able to be with various community groups. She was gifted with a unique sense of humor. Mary enjoyed her trips to Ireland, the Holy Land, and driving across the United States, as well as vacationing on the Maine coast. She thoroughly enjoyed hosting her family and friends during the holidays and other times during the year. She is survived by her husband, Richard T. Brown of East Longmeadow, two sons, Richard, Jr., of Philadelphia, PA and Patrick (Amy Payne) of East Longmeadow, two daughters, Marylou Houston (Brent) of Denver, CO and Christine of Washington, D.C.; two brothers, Jack Fitzgerald of Springfield, and Joe Fitzgerald of Agawam; sister-in-law Anne (Bob) O�Donnell of Montpelier, VT; brother-in-law James Brown of East Longmeadow; four grandchildren, Emma and Amelia Brown and Magnus and Wyatt Houston, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11th from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at the Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. Family and friends may meet for Mary�s Funeral Mass on Friday at 9:45 am at St. Michaels� Church, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow. Burial will follow at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Genesis Spiritual Life Ctr., 53 Mill St., Westfield, MA 01085; St. Joseph�s Retreat Ctr., 339 Jerusalem Rd., Cohasset, MA 02025; or Spiritual Directors Intl., P.O.Box3584, Bellevue, WA 98009.