Mary Leue

Leue, Mary ASHFIELD, Mass. - Mary Leue, aged 103, died on October 15, 2023, in her home attended by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, loved ones, and her dedicated caretakers.
She was born on December 21, 1919, to Donald and Harriet Macomber and grew up having many adventures with her parents and five siblings. She became a registered nurse after completing her bachelor's degree at Bryn Mawr College. It was while working at a Boston Hospital that she met her husband, William H. Leue.
After they married, they lived in Massachusetts and Maine before moving to Denton, Texas, where Bill was on the faculty of Texas State College for Women and Mary taught at the Denton Preparatory School. In 1961, they relocated to Albany, when Bill joined the faculty of SUNY Albany.
Mary was known for nurturing the intellect and creativity of all her children and will always be remembered as a true original. From solo picketing for peace at a Nike Base in Texas to tireless work for civil rights, equality, and justice, Mary never hesitated to manifest her beliefs. She was an honorary member of The Brothers, an Albany organization that fought for social justice.
Her lifelong interest in education and experience as a teacher led to her founding The Free School in Albany in 1968, which continues today to nurture and educate students as one of the oldest alternative schools in the U.S. She also pioneered working as a local childbirth educator and midwife and co-founded The Family Life Center, providing prenatal and birthing services for many families.
For the last quarter of her life, Mary lived on family land in Ashfield along with members of three generations of her family. Her commitment to living a sustainable life that honored the earth and its bounty informs the lives of those who come after her. In 2011, with her friend Kate O'Shea, she co-wrote the film Journey's End Farm, which depicted her vision and the "herstory" of the land. She was delighted when it won an award at the Ashfield Film Festival. She had the honor of being recognized as the oldest citizen of Ashfield for many, many years.
Mary leaves to remember and miss her, her children, Bill (Linda), Peter (Nancy Burton), Tom (Nancy), Ellen, and Mark (Helene) as well as 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, and her son-in-law, Mark Hertzberg.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Franklin County, her many caretakers, and the Town of Ashfield for their ongoing love and care.
To honor Mary, please sing a song for her. She did so love to sing! In keeping with her wishes, burial will be private. A memorial service will be held in the future.
Donations in her memory may be made to any organization that works for peace and justice, or to the Ashfield Fire Association, P.O. Box 560, Ashfield, MA, 01330, whose members have always shown up in so many ways for Mary.