Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Brown Hatter, 84, of Emmitsburg, died peacefully at her home on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004.

Mrs. Hatter was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Leonard Hatter in 1967.

Born on April 13, 1919 in Foxville, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Ida Mae Bush Brown.

Mrs. Hatter was a member of Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church in Foxville and St. Anthony's Shrine of Emmitsburg.

In her early years Mrs. Hatter worked with her husband Ralph in organizing the United Auto Workers Union at Glen L. Martin Aircraft Co. in Baltimore.

She was a lifelong Democrat, and formerly served on the Democratic Central committee and also served as vice president of the New Frontier Democratic Women's Club of Emmitsburg.

Mary was an avid writer of poetry and short stories, as well as an accomplished musician, playing the guitar, piano and organ.

A tireless woman, blessed with beauty and courage, Mrs. Hatter was a devoted mother and grandmother and a very proud great-grandmother. A special person who will be missed by her family and many friends.

Survivors include six children, Janet Mask of Waynesboro, Pa., Mary-Jo Birgensmith of Holiday, Fla., Loretta Blevins of the home in Emmitsburg, Joan Schreiber of Goose Creek, S.C., Ralph L. Hatter of Grange, Idaho, and Edgar J. Hatter of Sabillasville; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Charlie M. Brown of Hagerstown; and many nieces and nephews.

She will also be remembered by a special friend, Brother Seraphim of the Franciscan Friars of Emmitsburg.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Stauffer Funeral Home, 104 E. Main St., Thurmont.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. in Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, Foxville, with the Rev. Julie Brigham officiating.

Interment will follow in Brown Family Cemetery, Foxville.

Bearers will be Lenny Zentz, Joseph Wagerman, Patrick J. O'Toole, U.S.M.C., Tony Wagerman, Joey Wagerman and Kyle O'Toole.