Mary Picou was a 44-year Partner in Mission and a true friend to Brother Martin High School and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Among many other things, she will be remembered as a master teacher in the science department, a Brother More Schaefer Award recipient, and a leader within our faculty. Mary was a fount of knowledge and insight in the classroom, and she cared deeply for all of her students. Her presence on our campus has unquestioningly been missed.
Brother Martin President, Mr. Gregory Rando '77, shared a moving reflection on Mary Picou's saying "yes" to being a longtime Partner in Mission and her loving contribution to Brother Martin High School:
"Today, as a faculty and staff, we dedicate our Mass to the memory of Mary Picou, a longtime partner in mission who had been an intrinsic part of the fabric of our school for many years. Sadly, we lost Mary earlier this year. However, her impact and influence on us, her colleagues; her family, and the thousands of students she taught will remain strong. A very special welcome to Cecile, Mary’s sister, and her former colleagues, Jeannie Bandera, Eileen Depreo, Eileen Brocato, Guy Nelson, Bob Masson, Les Amick and Keiren Aucoin.
Mary Picou began her teaching ministry in 1978 here at Brother Martin. She quickly distinguished herself as a dynamic teacher of science. Her chemistry and physics students of years past would undoubtedly remember her passion for the complexity of God’s world as represented through the laws of chemistry and physics. Her hallmark strategy for instruction was hands-on learning, which included everything from demonstrations in front of the entire class and using the many chemicals and elements she had at her disposal in the labs. For instance, who can forget Mary sending her students down the front Cor Jesu hallways on the hovercraft! Mary’s expertise as a master teacher earned her the Brother More Schaefer Award for Evangelization through Education in 2004. We were reminded at that celebration that Mary’s exterior was strict and deliberate, but on the interior she had a heart of gold. She cared deeply about the success of all of her students and worked tirelessly to help them reach their potential.
As we celebrate the most powerful sacrament in our faith - the Eucharist - let us remember Mary Picou and send our prayers to her in her heavenly place at God’s banquet table."
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
