Byrle Breny, Teacher

Byrle Breny died Dec. 5, 2006 after a brief illness. She was 78.

Ms. Breny was born in Norwalk, Conn., in 1928, daughter of the late Clesson Eugene and Jean MacDougal Breny, and was a resident of Cambridge for 53 years before moving to Somerville 10 years ago.

She graduated from Norwalk High School in 1946 and from Danbury Teachers College in 1948. She worked as a lab technician in Norwalk Hospital. She then graduated from Sargeant College in 1955 with a degree in teaching.

Between 1955 and 1966, Ms. Breny taught at the Shady Hill School in Cambridge, Buckingham School in Cambridge, and the Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill. She was also a longtime political activist in Cambridge.

She was predeceased by her longtime friend and companion, Jane Prescott. She leaves her brother, Craig N. Breny, of Norwalk, Conn.; a niece, Jean Breny Bontempi, of Hamden, Conn.; and a nephew, John W. Breny of Newtown, Conn. A memorial service was held Dec. 17 at the Doherty Funeral Home in Somerville.

[Notice from Cambridge Chronicle, Dec 14, 2006]