 |
| Margaret Brown Doolittle |
By CHRISTIE BLECK
February 25, 2011
From Ingham County Community News
Only a week after being honored as the Mason Citizen of the Year for 2011, Margaret Brown Doolittle, 67, died peacefully at her home.
Doolittle, a noted author, historian, school teacher and volunteer, died Feb. 16 following an illness.
A retired North Aurelius kindergarten teacher, Doolittle was perhaps best known in recent years for penning the series "Down by the Sycamore," a compilation of newspapers columns written by her father, Nelson D. Brown, while editor of the Ingham County News from 1937-61.
The books were a fundraiser for the Mason Area Historical Society (MAHS), a subject in which Doolittle also was involved as she was a docent at the historic Pink School in Mason.
MAHS Treasurer Shirley Renwick was especially impressed with the way Doolittle connected with the youngsters who visited the Pink School.
"You know how kids come in and look bored for a while?" Renwick said.
However, she said that after listening to Doolittle talk, the young visitors were "entirely engrossed."
"She was just a community person," Renwick said.
MAHS President Jean Bement said the Society benefited greatly from Margaret's talents.
"As a retired teacher she volunteered by holding classes and tours at the Pink School, and the children loved her," Bement said.
As the daughter of Nelson Brown, Doolittle spent hundreds of hours compiling his "Down By The Sycamore" columns into six volumes, Bement pointed out.
"These books, while certainly benefiting the Society in a fundraising capacity, have done even more to support our mission of preserving the past," she said. "As a lifelong member of the Mason community, Margaret's legacy and her place in its history will live on in the fruits of her labor, and in the countless lives she touched."
On Feb. 9, Doolittle was honored at the annual chamber awards banquet as its top citizen for 2011.
Doug Klein, executive director of the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is saddened by Doolittle's passing.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family who shared her with us and the community for so many years," Klein said. "We know she will be sorely missed by all she touched, but especially the folks at Mason Public Schools, Mason's First Presbyterian Church and the Mason Kiwanis Club."
Doolittle was a lifelong member and elder of First Presbyterian Church in Mason and a member of the Mason Kiwanis Club. She also taught piano and volunteered in Mason schools.
Doolittle is survived by two daughters, Kathryn Tamms and Sarah Block, and a son, Peter Doolittle, as well as grandchildren Grace and William Tamms.
No comments:
Post a Comment