Mary K. Scheutzow

On Monday, June 5, 2023, Mary K. Scheutzow, born August 2,1941, in Brooklyn, NY and a longtime resident of Swiss Hill Road in Jeffersonville, passed away at the Friendly Home in Brighton, NY. Mary was predeceased by her husband, James Scheutzow (2016) and by her daughter Maureen.  Mary was the sister of Ann Marie Byrnes Desy (Roger) and James W. Byrnes III (Linda), and the proud mother of three children, Michael (Paul), Stephen (Jan), and Maureen (Bruce). Mary was adored by her grandchildren: Amanda Scheutzow Moser (Seth), Peter (Griselda), and Jack Scheutzow & John and Nicholas Simon. Mary was blessed with the lifelong friendship of Anne and Bob Lynch and their children.   

Mary's ability to adapt to her lifelong scoliosis showed a resilience and grace that inspired everyone who knew her. She brought this resilience into her 40-year career within the Jeffersonville and Liberty School Districts. At Jeffersonville, she initiated a pre-school program and was an elementary school teacher, special education teacher and president of the Jeffersonville Teachers’ Association. She later became a principal, curriculum administrator, and assistant to the superintendent in Liberty. During these years, Mary initiated collaboration between the Jeffersonville School District and the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund, enabling urban children to experience life in the country by living with a host family for two weeks during the summer. 

As a life-long learner, after retirement Mary maintained her interest in education by first becoming a school board member and then school board president of Sullivan West Central Schools. She also worked as a volunteer at the Jeffersonville Public Library. Mary was a strong advocate for students with special needs, and she facilitated a productive relationship between the Center for Discovery and local public-school systems. 

Mary loved her family and enjoyed spending summers together at their cottage on Lake Wallenpaupack. She also had a soft spot for Great Danes. Mary was a voracious bookworm, had a green thumb in the garden, and got a thrill from winning endless Scrabble matches.

Mary’s love and support will be missed by her family and her community.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville, NY on Thursday June 8th from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 9th at 11 am at St. George’s Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to organizations very close to Mary and Jim’s hearts:

The Center for Discovery: https://thecenterfordiscovery.org/ways-to-give/

Sullivan County SPCA Animal Shelter https://sullivanspca.org/donate/

Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties https://hospiceoforange.com/

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home Jeffersonville, NY 845-482-4280. For directions or to send condolences please visit stewartmurphyfh.com

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