Mary C. Brien, 71 of Lexington Park, MD passed away at the Hospice House of St. Mary's on April 8, 2010 after a long battle with cancer.

Born May 14, 1938 in Rochester, NY she was the daughter of the late Francis Costigan and Suzette MacDonald Costigan.

Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Mary earned a Bachelor's of Art Degree in Social Work from Nazareth College. She married in 1960 and raised her two children while volunteering in community organizations and her church. She moved to St. Mary's County in 1976 and taught in parochial and public schools here. After retiring, she continued to substitute teach and tutor young children and adults. She was a skin care consultant for 25 years.

Mary is survived by her husband, Tom Brien, and her son, Michael Brien. Her daughter Patricia Shade passed away in 2003. She has five grandchildren: Krista Gaspard (married to Donovan Gaspard), Nickolas Shade, Garret Shade, Calvin Brien and Elvis Brien all of St. Mary's County, and one great-grandchild, Adonis Gaspard.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, April 12, 2010 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Lexington Park, MD.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Mary's County - Unit 350, P.O. Box 1032, Lexington Park, MD 20650 or Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.