BATAVIA — Miss Mary A. Tyler, 87, of Batavia, a high school art teacher in the Elba and later the Batavia school systems from 1952 until her retirement in 1986, died Oct. 11, 2010, in Boulder, Colo.

She was a lifelong member of St. James Episcopal Church where she was a member of the Ladies Altar Guild, the choir, the vestry, and was a Sunday school teacher. During her years as an art teacher she also designed the stage sets for the Horseshoe Lake summer theater productions of the Batavia Players and the Rotary Club annual musicals. Her high school art students helped her to construct these sets. She always encouraged her students to appreciate and enjoy art in its many forms.

Miss Tyler was a graduate of Batavia High School Class of 1940. She earned an associate's degree in art from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1950 and a bachelor's degree in art education from the University of Rochester in 1952. She continued taking advanced art classes through the 1950s from Buffalo State College and New York University. Her artwork included paintings, pottery, jewelry, wood, and stone sculptures.

Survivors include five nieces, Priscilla Nell (Timothy) Laraway, Mary Tyler (Wayne) Niebch, Suzanne Jaquin, Margaret Tyler, and Elizabeth Tyler (Kevin O'Conner); two nephews, Walter C. (Rita Elona) and Robert (Patricia Pauly) Tyler; six great-nieces and four great-nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister Cornelia, and her brothers Winfield and Walter.

There are no calling hours. Friends may attend service at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 at St. James Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Mary to St. James Church, the Richmond Memorial Library or a charity of your choice. Burial will be in Morganville Cemetery. Condolences may be made at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com. Arrangements were completed by H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home of Batavia.

Mary Tyler's senior picture from the 1941 Batavian: