Maureen (Grady) Williamson ‘72
Maureen “Mo” (Grady) Williamson, of Marion, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, April 2, 2026, after a courageous 4-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Mo was born June 13, 1954, at White Cross Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. A very proud “Southsider,” she was the fifth of seven children born to the late Jeremy P. and Joan (Hartings) Grady. Due to her father’s job transfers, Mo lived in Columbus, Marion and Middletown, New York. Along the way, she made friendships that she cherished – and maintained connections with – throughout her life.
Mo was a graduate of St. Francis DeSales High School in 1972. After graduation, she was employed by Avis at Port Columbus and worked her way up to Airport Manager. In 1976, she met Jon Williamson on a blind date, and they were married exactly a year later. Together, they built a beautiful life in Marion, raising three sons and a daughter.
Mo went back to school after having kids and attended The Ohio State University at Marion to earn her teaching degree. After teaching for several years, she earned her Master’s degree in Library Media from Kent State University.
Mo dedicated 27 years to the Marion City Schools, primarily teaching kindergarten and first grade, and later serving as a reading recovery teacher. Mo was incredibly passionate about this work. She loved helping children learn and grow, and her impact on generations of students in Marion is a lasting legacy.
She was a past member of TWIG II, the Marion Mixers Garden Club, served on the St. Mary School Board and volunteered at Marion General Hospital.
One of Mo’s greatest joys in life was attending her children’s sporting events, especially tennis, which later inspired family vacations around the world. Trips to the four tennis Grand Slams, in Australia, France, England and New York, were among her family's most treasured memories. Additional travels to New Zealand and many European countries were full of adventures.
Mo loved planning trips (written on a legal pad), playing cards (euchre), reading (novels), baking (cookies), playing the piano (like her mother) and staying connected with her children and grandchildren through visits and FaceTime (often). She cherished keeping in touch with friends and relatives and especially loved to “do lunch.” Nothing brought her more joy than having her entire family home—especially at Thanksgiving, where she’d set a stunning table with her signature Nicolas Mosse Irish pottery.
Mo and Jon were married 48 years, and she always felt blessed to live the wonderful life she had, surrounded by her beautiful family and enriched by lifelong friendships. Her message to those she loved was simple and enduring: “Never give up and always be hopeful… Love, too.”
She is survived by her husband Jon; her children Tim, Sean (Erin), Andrew (Anita) and Molly; and her beloved grandchildren, Sophia, Chance, Parth and Veera. She is also survived by her five brothers, Mike, Tim (Marsha), Kevin (Sandy), Dennis (Judy) and Patrick Grady; her sister Kathleen (Pat) Garverick; sisters-in-law Jane (Jerry) Guy and Shary Williamson, widow of her late brother-in-law, Dave; aunt Joyce and uncle Sam; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, countless cousins and many dear friends—because to Mo, no one was ever a stranger.
Mo often said, "My cup runneth over." Until the end, she remained forever thankful to friends and family for their continued love and support. Special thanks are extended to the doctors and staff at The James Gynecologic Oncology Center at Mill Run, Dr. Copeland and Dr. Nagel, and to the caring nurses and staff at Tranquility Hospice for their compassion and care.