Eugenie H. Fitzhugh, 91

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Eugenie Harris Fitzhugh, 91, of Plymouth, formerly of Brockton, passed away peacefully Dec. 29, 2016.

Born in Boston, she was a graduate of Williamstown High School and Howard University. While a sophomore at Howard, she sustained a devastating back injury that hospitalized her for months, but she persevered after her recovery and eventually graduated by working three jobs, with her superb linguistic skills enabling her to become fluent in five foreign languages.

At a young age, she decided to pursue a career as a court reporter while living in Washington, D.C. Because of her color, she was denied admission by the one school that offered a program in stenotype, so she purchased a used stenotype machine, instructional books and tapes, and taught herself at nights after working her day job as a secretary, eventually becoming a Registered Professional Reporter.

After working in the Massachusetts Superior Court, she was eventually hired to serve with Judge W. Arthur Garrity in the United States District Court, becoming the first black woman to be appointed as an Official Court Reporter in the federal court system. She was elected as a Fellow in the National Shorthand Reporters Association and past president of Massachusetts Court Reporters Association, as well as becoming an a Certified Reporting Instructor, teaching for a number of years at Massachusetts Bay Community College.

Never expressing bitterness about the obstacles she faced, she instead set her mind to overcoming them with her discipline, diligence and professionalism, and was a role model for her son and family, as well as many others who were fortunate enough to know her. While in Brockton she served four terms on the Board of Trustees of Massasoit Community College and was a 2005 Champion of the City.

She enjoyed sewing custom clothing, and was known in her neighborhood for making Halloween special for the children because instead of candy, she would offer puzzles, educational materials and books, and became well-known for establishing this unique tradition.

Eugenie was the daughter of the late Eva and James Harris; beloved mother of Attorney Michael A. Fitzhugh of Brookline; and loving aunt of Officer Clifford Harris of the Falmouth Police Department and Juanita Harris of Framingham.

Funeral notice: All are welcome to calling hours Tuesday, January 3, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St. Brockton. Her funeral will be Wednesday, January 4, 2017, commencing with a brief service at noon at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown and burial at East Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, North Adams. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Massasoit Community College scholarships at www.massasoit.edu.