Mary Harrison, 79

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Mary Lucille Harrison, 79, of Stockbridge died on Thursday, March 30, 2017, with her family at her side. 

She was born in Apollo, Penn., on October 16, 1937, to Gertrude and Harry Wagner, and was one of six children. After graduating high school, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1959 from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla.

Mary and her late husband Harry made Stockbridge their home shortly after their marriage in 1962 and became beloved members of the community. She served on many boards and was a member of many organizations in her lifetime, including the Berkshire Botanical Garden (Board President 1987-88), Old Curtisville, Berkshire Theatre Festival (Vice President), Berkshire County Christian School, Hope Church, Berkshire Center for Families and Children, Chesterwood, Lenox Garden Club (Board President 1992-94 and 2010-11), Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the Stockbridge Library (President 1999-2002), Trustees of Reservations, the Tuesday Club of Stockbridge, and the Berkshire Concert Choir (charter member).

Mary taught a Bible study in her home for over 30 years and found great joy in studying and sharing God’s Word with others. She was lovely, graceful and wise. A world traveler, prolific reader, life-long student, lover and patroness of the arts and music, she left Berkshire County and indeed the world a more beautiful place. Perhaps her most important legacy is to be found in the people in whom she invested, individuals whose lives will endure as a lasting and largely anonymous testament to her generous spirit.

She was predeceased by her husband, Harry W. Harrison Jr. in 1996, and is survived by her sister, Harriet Wallace of Dallas, Texas; niece Mary Jane Turner of Dallas, Texas; nephew Mike Wallace of Grapevine, Texas; several great-nieces and -nephews;  and many dear friends. 

The family would like to thank Michelle Goonan of Huntington, MA for her longtime friendship and care of Mary.

Funeral notice: A celebration of Mary’s life will be held Wednesday, May 24 at Hope Church in Lenox. Details will be forthcoming. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Berkshire Botanical Garden or the Stockbridge Library in care of the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.