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Published on 08/25/1999 All articles from this issue

Mary Andrews Avery made photography a passion

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By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

After Mary Andrews Avery retired from a long teaching career, she remained active by rediscovering the world through her camera's lens. She took pictures all over the world of flowers and animals, and in her small Los Altos studio overlooking her garden of roses, she matted and framed those pictures.

Her work has been exhibited in the Rotary Art in the Park and the Los Altos Arts & Wine festivals.

On Aug. 11, Mary Avery died at home by her rose garden. She was 77.

A native of Ashland, Ohio, Mrs. Avery graduated from Wellesley College in 1944, and married her husband, Robert Avery, M.D., in 1945. They bought their first home in Los Altos in 1953 when her husband was on the staff of El Camino Hospital in Mountain View.

Mrs. Avery taught at Castilleja School in Palo Alto, the Ford Country Day School, and was the founding principal and teacher of the Trinity Parish School in Menlo Park.

She retired from teaching in the late 1960s.

Photography had been Mrs. Avery's longtime hobby. She took photo classes at Foothill and De Anza colleges during the early 1980s and then started a photography business.

At the age of 76, she exhibited her works at the Mendocino Fair, Portola Valley Arts Center, different festivals in Santa Clara County and Expressions in Los Altos.

In a 1998 Town Crier article, Avery said, "The (arts festivals) shows vary greatly, they're fun, but a lot of work. ... I'm not headed toward anything big, but I will continue to enjoy photography for as long as possible."

Avery is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert Avery; two daughters, Margaret Avery Harrison of Bethesda, Md., and Constance Avery Hunter of Santa Cruz; and four grandchildren.

Memorial services were held Saturday at Christ Church Episcopal in Portola Valley.

The family asks that contributions be made to a favorite charity or the Music Program of Christ Church at 815 Portola Road, Portola Valley, 94028.