Mary Shea Herzog

Mary Shea Herzog, lifelong educator, coach, and tireless advocate for the well-being of countless students and athletes, died October 3 at Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT at the age of 74. Mrs. Herzog, a resident of 111 Putnam Park, Greenwich, CT and native of Ogdensburg, NY, died of complications from West Nile virus.

Known for her creative and vibrant classroom methodology, Mrs. Herzog taught for over 40 years as a Special Education teacher in six New York State school districts, including Ogdensburg, Oneonta, Millbrook, Irvington, Pleasantville and Mamaroneck, and Redding, CT. Mrs. Herzog was an early and innovative proponent for the concept of Inclusion in Special Education. Acknowledging her informed and persuasive position, the Ogdensburg City School District appointed her to the initial district planning committee that brought Inclusion to District schools. After retiring in 2010, she continued working as a private tutor in Greenwich.

She generously used her trademark energy to encourage the talents of young people outside the classroom. For five years she coached the Ogdensburg School District's Odyssey of the Mind team, guiding them to State and Regional victories. She was also a strong supporter of the Ogdensburg Boys' and Girls' Club and the NVLD (Non-Verbal Learning Disability) Project.

Mrs. Herzog's compassion for young people extended into her Ogdensburg home. For many years the Herzogs welcomed foreign students, including Benoit of France, Christian from Germany, Simon of Sweden, Remon from the Netherlands, and Canturk from Turkey. She called these young men her "adopted sons" and maintained close lifelong relationships, often visiting them at their own homes in Europe. The Herzogs also regularly hosted young people during summers through the Fresh Air Fund program.

Carrying on her family tradition of producing Olympic Gold Medal-winning athletes, Mrs. Herzog vigorously fostered the development of students' physical abilities. For several years she was head coach of the Ogdensburg Free Academy (OFA) Modified Swimming team and assistant varsity coach of the OFA Girls' Track and Field team. In addition, she assisted the OFA varsity coaches in training several Swim and Track student athletes to compete at New York State-level meets. She also coached the Kiwanis Club T-Ball, Girls' Softball, and Youth Soccer teams.

As an athlete herself, Mrs. Herzog was always on the move. As a member of Ogdensburg's "Women on the Run" she qualified for and completed the 2008 New York City Marathon in 4:31:26. She served as President of the Board of Directors of the Ogdensburg Fitness Works Health Club, and was a spirited member of the Oscar's Tavern Women's Softball team. Besides running, she organized and participated in spinning classes, community walking groups, and daily swimming and kayaking outings. While residing in Greenwich, Mrs. Herzog was particularly proud of her commitment to "Steiner Strong", a group of friends and neighbors who met twice weekly for exercise.

Above all, Mrs. Herzog's personal passion was her infectious love for the St. Lawrence River. No matter where the Herzogs lived or traveled, not a summer passed when they did not spend time on the river. On at least five occasions she "swam the river" from the US to Canada, and she made a point of plunging into the water daily -- regardless of the temperature.

Mary Elizabeth Shea was born May 18, 1951 at A. Barton Hepburn Hospital, Ogdensburg, NY, fourth of eight children of the late State Supreme Court Justice Edmund L. and Sheila (Houlihan) Shea. She grew up at 724 Pickering Street, the home she and her husband later purchased to raise their own family. Mrs. Herzog attended Bishop Conroy Memorial School (BCMS) and graduated in 1969 from St. Mary's Academy as part of its last graduating class. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Lawrence University in 1973 and Master of Special Education degree from Syracuse University in 1979. As a student, Mrs. Herzog lived for nearly a year in London England, developing not only a lifelong love of travel but also an avid interest in theatre.

On October 6, 1979 she married William B. Herzog at St. Mary's Cathedral in Ogdensburg, with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. David W. Stinebrickner and the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Bailey officiating.

Mrs. Herzog was a longtime member of St. Mary's Cathedral parish, a Parish Council member and President of the BCMS Board of Religious Education. She was a current parishioner of the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City and St. Mary Church in Greenwich, CT.

Mrs. Herzog is survived by her husband of nearly 46 years, William B. Herzog of Greenwich CT; two daughters, Ellen E. Herzog of Denver CO, and Eileen C. Herzog of Greenwich CT; five brothers and one sister, Edmund J. (Joyce) Shea of Newburyport MA, Thomas J. Shea of Gansevoort NY, David C. Shea of Ogdensburg NY, Peter O. (Margaret) Shea of Ogdensburg NY, Sheila E. Shea (Alex Seita) of Guilderland NY, and John L. (Laura) Shea of Ogdensburg NY; three sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Connie (Brown) Herzog of Granbury TX, Sylvia Herzog (Frederick) LaSelva of Sandwich MA, Michael J. (Luanne) Herzog of Ogdensburg NY, and Judith Ann Herzog (Larry) Cheralla of Abilene TX. She was predeceased by a brother, Daniel R. Shea in 1981, brother-in-law Wallace G. (Connie) Herzog in 2018, sister-in-law Joyce (DellaGatta) Shea in 2021, and brother-in-law Larry Cheralla in 2012. She is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews: Kelly Shea Knowles, Christopher Shea, Kristie Sullivan, Kevin Wright, Kara Wright, Daniel Seita, Matthew Seita, Catherine Seita, Aidan Shea, John Shea, Grace Shea, Stacy (Herzog) Stenger, Shelby (Herzog) Milam, Heidi (Herzog) Mayer, Ellen (McFadden) Loewen, Frederick McFadden, Jacob Herzog, Stephanie (Sharrow) Harkleroad, and Jay Sharrow.

A Funeral Mass in Ogdensburg NY will be October 11 at 10 am at St. Mary's Cathedral, followed by a reception at the Gran View Restaurant. Calling hours will be Friday, October 10 from 3 to 7 pm at Frary Funeral Home, 515 Caroline St., Ogdensburg.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Greenwich CT on Saturday, November 1 from 1-4 pm at Bar Rosina's, 230 Mill St.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ogdensburg Boys' and Girls' Club, 610 Paterson St., Ogdensburg, NY or the Greenwich Alliance for Education, 48 Maple Ave., Greenwich, CT.