Mary Schellinger of Sag Harbor, a former French teacher at the Amagansett and Springs Schools, died on Dec. 14 of complications of Parkinson's disease. She was 72.
After studying French at the College of St. Rose in Albany and in Paris, she began teaching the language at Gloversville High School upstate, where she made it a tradition to take her senior classes on a trip to France.
In 1974, she met David Schellinger, the man who would become her husband of 45 years, and the couple settled in Sag Harbor. Mr. Schellinger survives.
She stopped teaching in 1980 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but she found other ways to contribute to local schools. She organized fund-raisers for school equipment and for the construction of a playground and basketball court at the Sag Harbor Elementary School, and she made the costumes for many plays put on at Pierson High School.
Ms. Schellinger helped out at the family business, the Spring Farm hunting preserve, by preparing lunches for guests, and she served for 20 years as chairwoman of the Southampton Town Disability Advisory Committee. She was a member of St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Bridge-hampton and served on the vestry for three terms.
She was born on Dec. 7, 1948, in Rome, N.Y., to John Lachut and the former Laura Gromelski, and grew up there, attending the local schools.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Peter Schellinger of Charlottesville, Va., three stepchildren, Donna Teich of Center Moriches, Diane McDevitt of Long Beach, and Thomas Schellinger of Charleston, S.C., six grandchildren, Patrick and Ryan Teich, Jack and Maggie McDevitt, and Abigail and David Schellinger, and many nieces and nephews. A brother, Martin Lachut, also survives.
A memorial service and private burial will be held at a date to be determined.
Memorial donations have been suggested to St. Ann's Episcopal Church, 2463 Main Street, Bridgehampton 11932, or the American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island 10306.
