Miriam Inez Aubry, 93

Miriam Inez (Gould) Aubry, 93, of North Andover, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at Prescott House.

Miriam was born on December 15, 1920 to William and Elizabeth Gould and grew up in Bridgeton, New Jersey.  She graduated from Virginia State College and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Miriam was married to the late Everett Thomas Aubry and lived on Salem Street in North Andover for many years, where they raised their family. Miriam taught art at North Andover High School for 20 years and had a business with her daughter Linda making pottery. Miriam was active in the community and stayed in contact with many students, teachers, and friends.

Miriam was optimistic and curious about the world. In her lifetime she saw the growth of the telephone, television, computers, and other new technology. She kept up with world events, and followed the English design magazine World of Interiors. She loved to read, especially the Portuguese author Jose Saramago.  

She had a solid sense of purpose and practicality. She was very petite, but when she had a wood stove, she would stack and manage three cords of wood each winter. During the rest of the year she was always outside in her yard and garden.

She loved looking at the sky, and had a morning ritual of looking out her window while she said her prayers.

Living in Boston in the late 1940s to attend graduate school at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, she often took long walks around the city. She discovered Trinity Church in Copley Square and it was there where she decided to attend the Episcopalian Church. During that time she met her future husband Everett. After moving to Houston for a short period to teach at Texas A&M, She returned to Massachusetts where she reunited with Everett. They married and moved to Wilmington, MA, finally settling in North Andover, MA.

She and her husband loved Christmas and they decorated their house with many pieces of their handmade art, both at Christmas and year round. They were very active in the community at Christ Church in Andover, both as sunday school teachers and as participants in the holiday fairs. Every Sunday for many years she made rolls from scratch; the big yellow glass bowl sitting on the kitchen counter full of rising dough was a familiar site.

Her love for her husband Everett survived his death in 1980. She stayed in the house that they had made a vibrant home, feeling his presence and keeping the memories of the times the family spent there. There had been numerous parties with family and friends, art shows, and neighborhood get-togethers. She also took care of many cat companions over the years.

She always encouraged her children to pursue whatever things they were interested in, including writing, artwork, or music. She taught art at North Andover High School for 20 years, and many students went on to pursue a study in art because of her inspiration and teaching.

For many years Miriam and Linda worked together in their shared pottery studio at the house on Salem Street. In her porcelain work she specialized in beautiful blue and white designs, making that traditional color scheme her own in a fresh and contemporary way. The drawings and watercolors  that she created had a beautiful sense of color and a very strong design.

Her sweet, sunny, and happy being will be with us always.

Miriam is survived by: her son Reginald  T. Aubry and his wife, Julie Hawks; her daughter Linda Aubry Bullock and her husband Michael Thomas Bullock; her sister and brother-in-law Eleanor and John Rainey; her sister-in-law Dr. L. Joyce V. Gould;  her grandchild Katya Emlet Aubry; her daughter-in-law, Diana Emlet; and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Prescott House for their loving care during the past year, and for the support of Christ Church in Andover for many years.

A memorial service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 24 at Christ Church in Andover, MA. Miriam loved music; for those who wish, she may be remembered through donations to the Music Fund at Christ Church in lieu of flowers.

For online condolences, please visit the website of Conte Funeral Homes atwww.contefuneralhomes.com

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness; but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

 - Keats