Mary Elizabeth Focht,95, passed away on July 20, 2024. Mary Elizabeth, as she was called by her family, was born in Durham, North Carolina. When she was 12, she moved to New York City with her parents Raleigh Lee Brown and Berry Raynor Brown to join her sister Lucielle Somers and her husband Robert Somers.
Mary worked as a dental assistant for many years and was well respected by the dentists who employed her. Her passion, however, was oil painting. Self-trained, she became an accomplished artist and produced many paintings over a span of 50 years. She was especially gifted in portraiture and beautifully captured the likeness of family, friends, and even a few dogs and cats. The pets she painted were very pleased with the results.
Mary was predeceased by her second husband. Carl O. Focht, who died in September 2004. Her son Roger Kurt Ehrlich, from her first marriage to Corwin Robert Ehrlich, died in December 1971.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Karen Ehrlich of New York City, and her nephew Robert Somers and his daughter Cathy Gray.