MARY E. CROZIER

1924 - 2019

CROZIER, Mary E. (Clayton) Award Winning News Reporter and Feature Writer Died peacefully on January 9, 2019, at the age of 94, in Belmont, MA, surrounded by her loving family. Ms. Crozier was married for 58 years to Dr. Robert E. Crozier, until his passing on September 2, 2017. They have two children, Matthew and Julia. Mary Clayton Crozier had a long career in journalism and communication beginning in Western Massachusetts and then in the metropolitan Boston area, where she lived for over 60 years. Mary was a caring and generous woman of many talents. She had an infectious sense of humor, a love of storytelling, and a passion for promoting the diverse and unique talents and contributions of others. Mary Clayton was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on August 13, 1924 to parents, Martin Joseph Clayton, who worked as a ship's steward and Irene Beaudry Clayton, who worked on the assembly lines of the National Blank Book Company in Holyoke MA. Mary was raised in Holyoke by her mother and grandmother in a multi ethnic neighborhood where many of her friends were first generation immigrants. This environment had an impact on her understanding and appreciation of cultural, ethnic and religious differences and influenced her strong commitment to support the dignity and equality of all people. Mary attributed her love of learning to her 'Nana,' Mary Sullivan Beaudry, who came over as a stowaway from Ireland in the 1800's, at the age of 9 and who learned to read and write despite working 6 days a week in the mills of Holyoke. A 1946 graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Mary majored in Political Science. She also attended the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and interned with the Chicago Press Bureau. Mary's interest in newspaper reporting began while attending Holyoke High School, where she wrote on the school's newspaper. Her 'big break' came when she worked as a receptionist for the Springfield Daily News, on a day when all the reporters at the newspaper were covering other assignments. Mary, then 18, left her post to cover a four-alarm fire. After presenting her story to the managing editor, she was offered a job as a reporter and accepted the position for the summer. While attending Mount Holyoke, Mary wrote for the Mount Holyoke Press Bureau and worked for the Holyoke Transcript Telegram during the summers. In her senior year she met and interviewed Eleanor Roosevelt. Mary's interest in finding common values between traditions and faiths and promoting unity was of deep importance to her. In 1950, she was one of several founding members of the Western Massachusetts chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In 1953, while still a reporter with the Holyoke Transcript Telegram, she was offered a job of sports reporter from The Boston Globe, but declined, accepting a position as feature writer with The Boston Sunday Advertiser and Boston Record American. Mary Clayton was recognized in Boston for her outstanding contributions as a news reporter and feature writer. Over the course of her newspaper career, Mary interviewed many national and international figures in the areas of politics, sports, literature and film such as Ted Williams, Rocky Marciano, Hoagie Carmichael, Tom Yawkey, and Thornton Burgess, to name a few. She also received awards from the New England Women's Press Association and the Publicity Club of New England, among others. In 1956, her series focusing on the nursing shortage in New England brought about the establishment of a legislative commission by then Massachusetts Governor, Christian Herter. In 1958, Mary Clayton met Robert E. Crozier, a gastroenterologist with Lahey Clinic (now Lahey Hospital Medical Center). They were married in 1959 and settled in the Back Bay where they lived for 58 years. While devoting her time to raising her children, Mary wrote for the Boston Record American and in the late 1960's worked at the Bridge Fund, which promoted educational alternatives to Boston children in the Black community. In the 1970's, she worked Massachusetts Hospital Association, specializing in public relations and communications. In 1983, Mary Clayton Crozier joined the newly formed Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN) where she worked as their Public Relations Director for over 20 years. Mary enthusiastically promoted BNN's mission: to support the people of Boston share their stories and exercise their First Amendment rights. In 2009, she received BNN's first Spirit of Community Media Award to honor her service to Boston. Over the years, Mary continued to offer her talent and time working with others on a variety of projects. For many years she worked with Nancy Purbeck, co-founder of Positive People Day, to publicize October 29th as a day devoted to kindness. Mary was also an active member of the Democratic Ward 5 Committee in Boston. Mary was not only a smart and creative person, but was someone who worked for the people and causes she cared about to help make a better world. She will be remembered as a loving person who cared deeply about diversity, community building and the well-being of others. Her kindness and generosity impacted many people's lives. Mary will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. She is survived by her son, Matthew Crozier of York, ME; her daughter, Julia Crozier of Newton, MA; half-sister Judy Bouse of Seattle, WA; her beloved cousin, Constance McCarthy of Springfield, MA. She is also survived by her many loving first cousins of Western Mass.; her many caring nieces and nephews of Portland, ME; as well her dear friends, Curtis and Veda Henderson; and many others. Special thanks to Belmont Manor, Compassionate Care and to all the companions and friends who touched Mary's life. Services will be held at St. Cecelia Church Boston, MA on January 19, at 11 am, with parking and reception at the Hilton Hotel following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army, at www.salvationarmy.org in Mary's memory.