Obituary for Mary Frances Grissinger (Thomas)
Mary Thomas Grissinger, formerly of Shepherdstown, W. Va., and most recently a resident of HeartFields Assisted Living in Frederick, Md., passed away November 29, 2019, at the age of 89 from pneumonia and complications of dementia. Mary, the youngest of six siblings, was born in Jackson Springs, N.C. on December 27, 1929, to the late Elizabeth C. and Numa E. Thomas. Her husband, Rev. John M. Grissinger, preceded her in death in December 2010.
She is survived by three children from her first marriage to the late Rev. Frederick A. Smith, Pamela D. Lockard (James) of Shepherdstown, W.Va., Teresa F. Fulton (Michael) of Kensington, Md., and Anita T. Smith of Frederick, Md., in addition to three granddaughters, Whitney Lockard Nye (Blaine), Amanda Fulton, and Elizabeth Fulton; and one great granddaughter, Penelope Nye. She is also survived by stepsons John Grissinger (Susan) of Martinsburg, W. Va., Robert Grissinger (Frank) of Ft. Myers, Fla. and stepdaughter Anne Munro (Roger) of Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Mary worked more than 20 years at Shepherd University, primarily in the admissions and registrar’s office. A committed proponent of higher education, she found assisting students in their educational journey richly rewarding. She also enjoyed international travel, particularly in the company of family and friends, and visited many countries throughout the years. She was an avid reader and loved classical music and cultural arts performances. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, Md.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, 2019, at the Jefferson Chapel of Brown Funeral Homes, 114 N. Mildred Street, Ranson, W. Va., preceded by visitation at 12:30 p.m.
Graveside services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or a charity of choice.
She is survived by three children from her first marriage to the late Rev. Frederick A. Smith, Pamela D. Lockard (James) of Shepherdstown, W.Va., Teresa F. Fulton (Michael) of Kensington, Md., and Anita T. Smith of Frederick, Md., in addition to three granddaughters, Whitney Lockard Nye (Blaine), Amanda Fulton, and Elizabeth Fulton; and one great granddaughter, Penelope Nye. She is also survived by stepsons John Grissinger (Susan) of Martinsburg, W. Va., Robert Grissinger (Frank) of Ft. Myers, Fla. and stepdaughter Anne Munro (Roger) of Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Mary worked more than 20 years at Shepherd University, primarily in the admissions and registrar’s office. A committed proponent of higher education, she found assisting students in their educational journey richly rewarding. She also enjoyed international travel, particularly in the company of family and friends, and visited many countries throughout the years. She was an avid reader and loved classical music and cultural arts performances. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, Md.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, 2019, at the Jefferson Chapel of Brown Funeral Homes, 114 N. Mildred Street, Ranson, W. Va., preceded by visitation at 12:30 p.m.
Graveside services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or a charity of choice.