Hashey, Mary Wood Coughey, born December 10, 1910, passed away at Passamaquoddy Lodge, St. Andrews, New Brunswick on July 20, 2004. She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Madeline Coughey; her husband, Lawrence F. Hashey; brothers, Thomas and Earl; and sister, Alice. Mary is survived by one son, David (Janice) Hashey; one daughter Alice-Anne (Ross) Giberson; two brothers, David (Lillian) Coughey and Jamie Coughey; and six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Mary devoted her life to family, the arts and her university. She grew up in St. Andrews, NB, and from there went to the University of New Brunswick, where she received an Arts degree in 1931. Mary became very active in the UNB Alumnae Association and also served on its Board of Governors. She received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1995.

Mary had a lifelong commitment to the arts and commenced painting at the age of 11 in picturesque St. Andrews by-the-Sea. She exhibited her paintings widely and they are held in many private collections. Mary was the prime mover and the first president of the Fredericton Art Club, and was influential in the formation of the Fredericton Society of Artists. She wrote Maritime Artists Volume I which was published by the Maritime Artists Association.

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery came into being as a result of her drive for an art gallery in Fredericton, and she served on its Board of Governors from 1960 – 1964. She worked very closely with the gallery in a number of capacities from the time of its inception. Mary was honoured by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in 2003 for her contributions and a fund was created in her name to assist the gallery in the acquisition of paintings from new and upcoming artists.

A private family service was be held in St. Andrews.  A reception in Mary’s honor was held at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery on Tuesday, July 27, 2004.