Obituary for Mary B. Desso (Brownridge)
Mary B. (Brownridge) Desso, proud mother of four, grandmother of seven and teacher to all, peacefully passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2022 surrounded by her family. Mary was born March 5, 1941 in Pittsburgh, PA, to the late George and Margaret Brownridge.
She graduated from Stamford, CT High School, received her B.S. from St. Lawrence University with a major in Biology and minor in chemistry, and then went on to do her graduate studies at Syracuse University. She was a National Science Foundation Award Winner. Her studies lead her to a lifetime of teaching in the Life Sciences. She taught at Marcellus High School between 1963 and 1981, Auburn Middle School from 1982 until her retirement in June of 2002. She was also a long-term substitute at West Genesee and Jamesville DeWitt schools. Mary was also the Director of the adult education programs and summer children's programs for the Marcellus Parks and Recreation Department. She spent countless hours with her adoring children and grandchildren, loved to garden, read, sit with her pets, and take walks in her neighborhood. She will be remembered by her beautiful smile!
Mary is survived by her children Michael (Deb) Desso of Chagrin Falls, OH, Alyson (Dan) Gooden of Marcellus, Greg (Tina) Desso of Marcellus, Chris Desso of Big Flats, NY, her grandchildren: Mara (Danny McAlphine) Desso, Hunter Desso, David (Niki) Gooden, Megan (Jessie) Fergen, Kelsey Desso, Brandon Desso and Andrew Desso, husband Raymond Desso, brother Thomas Brownridge and was pre-deceased by her sister Margaret Wilmot.
Services for Mary will be held privately for her family. She will be buried in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.
Donations may be made in her memory to the American Brain Foundation (americanbrainfoundation.org).
She graduated from Stamford, CT High School, received her B.S. from St. Lawrence University with a major in Biology and minor in chemistry, and then went on to do her graduate studies at Syracuse University. She was a National Science Foundation Award Winner. Her studies lead her to a lifetime of teaching in the Life Sciences. She taught at Marcellus High School between 1963 and 1981, Auburn Middle School from 1982 until her retirement in June of 2002. She was also a long-term substitute at West Genesee and Jamesville DeWitt schools. Mary was also the Director of the adult education programs and summer children's programs for the Marcellus Parks and Recreation Department. She spent countless hours with her adoring children and grandchildren, loved to garden, read, sit with her pets, and take walks in her neighborhood. She will be remembered by her beautiful smile!
Mary is survived by her children Michael (Deb) Desso of Chagrin Falls, OH, Alyson (Dan) Gooden of Marcellus, Greg (Tina) Desso of Marcellus, Chris Desso of Big Flats, NY, her grandchildren: Mara (Danny McAlphine) Desso, Hunter Desso, David (Niki) Gooden, Megan (Jessie) Fergen, Kelsey Desso, Brandon Desso and Andrew Desso, husband Raymond Desso, brother Thomas Brownridge and was pre-deceased by her sister Margaret Wilmot.
Services for Mary will be held privately for her family. She will be buried in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.
Donations may be made in her memory to the American Brain Foundation (americanbrainfoundation.org).