Mary Walsh Williams of Jacksonville, FL and most recently of Pensacola, FL where she lived for many years, died on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at her home in Jacksonville, FL.

Born in Boston, MA, Mary was the daughter of James and Helen (Benson) Walsh. She was the beloved widow of Capt. Randall L. Williams, US Navy (Ret.), to whom she was married for forty delightful years. Mary relocated to Jacksonville in 2022, surprising herself as she quickly adjusted to an assisted living lifestyle, meeting new friends, and exploring new activities while enjoying life devoid of grocery shopping and meal preparation. Life was grand, indeed.

Valedictorian of her 1956 graduating class at Roslindale High School, Mary received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Emmanuel College, Boston, and following a year of study in Spain, received a Master of Arts (Spanish) degree from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1961.

Mary began her teaching career in the Brockton, MA school system where the students loved learning new foreign words like taco, burrito, enchilada, margarita, and guacamole.  At the end of that school year, they were hungry for more.  She continued teaching at the UMass, Boston campus, enjoying the scholastic school year which enabled her to travel throughout the world.

Mary met Randy at a charity event in Boston where they married before Randy was assigned as the Military Liaison Officer to the U.S. Mission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Mary's fluency in Spanish enabled her to quickly learn Portuguese.  Two children were born in Rio while Mary and Randy welcomed many visitors from the US.  His Navy assignments took them to Albuquerque, NM, Stephenville, TX and Pensacola, FL.

In years past her interests varied from Book Clubs to cooking, baking, sewing, and traveling.  She and Randy saw many corners of the globe thanks to "Space Available" on military aircraft; this mode demanded only patience and not the latest in fashionable travel wear.  Her volunteer service at many parishes was both challenging and rewarding.

Mary is survived by her two children, Michael of Holly Springs, NC and Kate Williams and her husband, Ross McDonough of Neptune Beach, FL.  In addition, she is survived by stepchildren Leta Barksdale, Kingwood, TX; Dina Butler, Fayetteville, AR; Russell Williams, Frierson, LA; grandson Anthony Chatham, New Orleans, LA; step-grandchildren Rebecca Hilderbrand, Pueblo West, CO; Diana Losak, Dallas, TX; Ella McDonough and Ian McDonough, Neptune Beach, FL;  nephews Daniel Walsh, Exeter, NH and Timothy Walsh, Exton, PA; and her favorite but only brother, Jim Walsh, Tucson, AZ and Downingtown, PA.

Visitation will be held 10:30am until a Funeral Mass to begin at 11:30am Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 510 Bayshore Dr., Pensacola, FL 32507, with Fr. Nicholas Schumm celebrant. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary's name may be made to Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, 1815 N. 6th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32503.