RICHMOND, Mass. — Mary M. Blair of Richmond, Mass., passed away peacefully at home with her children and partner by her side on Friday, August 2, 2019. 

She was the dedicated wife for 31 years of Stephen W. Blair, who predeceased her in August 1997. 

Mary was born August 31, 1944, at Fort George Wright in Spokane, Wash., daughter of the late Capt. Leo and Louise Beldo. She received her bachelor of arts degree from Lawrence University, where she met her future husband. She completed her master’s requirements from Boston University and taught music at Governor Dummer Academy for many years. After stopping work to have a family, she later went back and was a choral director in the public school system in New Hampshire. 

Mary volunteered for numerous organizations throughout her life, most recently for Tanglewood, the Berkshire Historical Society and 18 Degrees: Kids 4 Harmony. She was an avid reader and crossword puzzle aficionado who always supported her local public library. Mary traveled around the world with both her husband and later, her partner, Stephen Murray, with whom she lived for more than 15 years on her beloved farm in western Massachusetts. 

She enjoyed talking of her three grandchildren, was a loyal and caring friend to many, and was always a prime example of the Finnish concept of sisu.

She is remembered by her daughter, Ann Blair Silvers and her husband of Woolwich, N.J.; her son, Clark Blair, of Lee, MA; her partner, Stephen Murray of Richmond, MA; her sister, Ann Lowrey and her husband, of Whitefish Bay, Wisc.; her brother, John Beldo and his wife, of Menominee, Mich.; and her three grandchildren, Samantha, Kaitlyn, and Stephen.

The families would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the wonderful and caring staff at the ICU at Bay State Hospital and HospiceCare in the Berkshires for their dedication and compassion.

Funeral notice: Services will be celebrated on Friday, August 9, 2019, at 2 p.m. at West Stockbridge Congregational Church, 45 Main St., West Stockbridge, Mass. A small reception will immediately follow the service. A cemetery service will be held in the fall for immediate family members only.



In lieu of flowers please make a donation to one of these two places that were special to Mary - 18 Degrees: Kids 4 Harmony or The Richmond Public Library c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.