Mary McLean Paton Brath, 81

MILFORD - Mary McLean Paton Brath, of Milford, formerly of Pompton Plains, N.J., passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2008, in Bayhealth-Milford Medical Center, Milford, at the young age of 81.

Mary was born in Kilbirnie, Scotland, and came to the United States with her family at the age of 3.

She resided in Montclair, N.J., Clifton, N.J., and Pompton Plains before settling in Milford in 1994.

Mary was a homemaker and was involved in many activities and organizations.

She belonged to the PTA as a secretary; Girl Scout organizer; secretary for the League of Women Voters; election challenger and judge along with Republican County Committee Woman; church youth group leader in the Pompton Plains Presbyterian Church.

Mary was also a honorary member of the Pequannock Township First Aid and Rescue Squad serving her community for 30 years.

During her years of service she held the position of Crew Leader for 20 years, president for four terms, vice president for two terms, lieutenant for six terms and secretary for six terms.

She was an instructor in first aid, EMT, American Heart Association, American Red Cross teaching countless police, firemen, lifeguards and many others.

Mary also took part in an expedition to the island of Bonaire teaching first aid and CPR to a missionary organization.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Somerville Paton and Eliza Jane Macky Paton; and her brothers William Paton and John Paton.

Mary is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 60 years, Tom Brath Jr.; her daughter, Carolyn Tomin and husband Nigel of Naples, Fla.; daughter, Debbie Anest and husband Michael of Boonton, N.J.; son, Tom Brath and wife Elaine of Vernon, N.J.; daughter, Jacquie Ricker and husband Scott of Haskell, N.J.; and son, James Brath and wife Jennifer of Pompton Plains; her grandchildren, Laren Frueh of Glouster, Mass., James and Alex Anest of Boonton, N.J., Timothy, Amanda and Jeffrey Brath of Vernon, N.J., Kyle Ricker of Milford, and Haskell, N.J., Jocelyn Ricker of Haskell, Brandon and Colin Brath of Pompton Plains.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date in Pompton Plains.

Instead of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 would he greatly appreciated.

Arrangements by Lofland Funeral Home, Milford.