On April 16, Eleanor "Pat" McKeen Brosius died at the age of 97 in Mount Vernon.
She was a Historic Alexandria Docent, retired English teacher at the University of Maine, Teacher of the Year in Worcester, Mass. in 1974 - 1975, an inductee into the Hall of Fame in Worcester in November 2001. She was presented with a Key to the City by Mayor.
In 1979 she moved to Mount Vernon, where she was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Lydia Circle, United Methodist Women, AARP, Hollin Hall Senior Center, Joy Group, Dim View Group (a support group for the blind), Red Hats, The Mystery Book Club at Martha Washington Library, American Association of University Women and a former Girl Scout leader.
For 18 years Mrs. Brosius was a docent at the Boyhood Home of Robert E. Lee.
She was born in Milo, Maine Oct. 5, 1910, the daughter of James O. and Luvie Hackett McKeen. She was a graduate of Milo High School where she was a charter member of the National Honor Society and was a member of the Milo High Alumni Association.
She graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington and from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She did her graduate studies at Worcester College and the University of Massachusetts.
Following college she was the Principal of St. Francis High School in St. Francis, Maine. Then she was a teacher at the University of Maine at Farmington and then a teacher at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, Maine.
In 1939 she married Nicholas William Brosius, of Berlin, N.H., Chief Interviewer of the Massachusetts Division of Employment Security and renowned city organist. He died in 1971.
In Worcester, she taught at the Dix Street Preparatory and at Grafton Street Schools. During Mrs. Brosius’ career as an English teacher, she also taught in New Britain, Conn.
She was a lifetime member of the Alsworth Chapter #39 of the Order of the Eastern Star; She belonged to the Retired Teachers Organization of Fort Pierce, Florida, Emerson College Alumni Association, and Massachusetts Teachers Association.
In Maine, she was a member of the Milo Baptist Church and was active in community drama and musical organizations.
She is survived by two daughters, Joan Ellen Corbett; and Geraldine Gassek; a granddaughter, Laura Lenora "Gassek" Lewis; and two great grandsons, Garrett William and Edward Hayden Lewis all of Mount Vernon;
a niece Donna Benn Rutter of Newport News; and a cousin, Cecelia Harmon of Milo, Maine. Interment was at Mount Comfort Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to your favorite charity.