Mary Williams

Mary Kathryn (Bahan) Williams, died on February 4, 2018 in Erie at the age of 93.  She was born November 26, 1924 at the Mountain Clinic in Olean New York to the late Kathryn Emeline (Dutton) Bahan 1980 and William Patrick Bahan 1965.

She is survived by her beloved only sister (with only 13 months apart they spent the last 92 years together) Margaret “Peg” Joan (Bahan) Carney, her beloved nephew and godson Patrick Bahan Carney (Joseph Geppert), her beloved niece and goddaughter Pamela Mary (Carney) Zimmer (Brian T. Zimmer), great niece Nicole Katelyn Zimmer (Justin Myers), and great great nephew Oliver Benjamin Myers, all of Erie.  She is further survived by her sister-in-law Arloa (Williams) Stewart of Paris Texas.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 20 years Grant Olvitt Williams in 1990, her grandparents Michael and Mary (Lynch) Behan (Bahan), Andrew and Margaret “Maggie” (Elling) Dutton, nephew Matthew Carney, niece Mary Carney, brother in law Dr. Melvin E. Carney, and great nephew Grady Matthew Zimmer in 2016.  Also by many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins especially Ruth (Smith) Lowe of Olean New York.

Mary first lived on Brickel Avenue and then the Bahan family home of 704 Wayne Street in Olean, New York.  She and her family moved to Erie Pennsylvania in the summer of 1940 after spending two years at Olean High school. She then attended Academy High school and graduated in the June 1942 class. 

Mary’s first job was at the Ben Franklin stores on Parade Street and Bliley Electric during the war years.  She then moved on to The United Way of Erie originally called the Community Chest and then United Fund.   She was the executive secretary there until 1979 and she participated in United Way campaigns several years after her retirement.   She and her husband traveled around the United States and enjoyed eating out, hiking, playing cards and their Saturday nights dancing at the East Erie Turners.  

Mary was a former member of Holy Rosary Church and then Crossroads Community Baptist Church, for many years enjoying her time with her women’s circle and the bi-annual rummage sale at the church and many other duties.   Mary also enjoyed collecting miniatures, reading, puzzles, journals, writing letters and listening to music.   She had lived on East 25^th Street and then East 38^th Street for almost 50 years.  Mary enjoyed watching people come and go from first Loblaws then Value Home Center.   She was always willing to help others by taking them to the store or picking them up for church events all the way to the age of 89 until she was unable to drive anymore.  She also loved spending time with her family.  

She loved watching Pam, Patrick, Nicole, and Grady growing up.  She was a huge part of their lives making sure they had snacks after school, their favorite foods for dinner and making holidays special for everyone.    She loved the little things in life like getting a Greek dog at New York Lunch, eating it on the Peninsula, going to the public dock in Erie, and going to the library.  She also loved when she went with the family on day trips and Sunday drives, eating out every Friday night with family and  of course she and her sister loved going to the mall together for many years after the Boston Store closed which was her other favorite place to shop and lunch.

She will be missed by her family and friends and you are welcome to call on them on Wednesday Feb. 7th from 1-3pm and 5-7pm at Burton Funeral Home, 602 West 10^th Street, Erie PA and help celebrate her life at the service there on Thursday Feb. 8^th at 10:30am.   Burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Crossroads Community Church, 5827 Old French Road, Erie, PA  16509 or charity of one’s choice.     Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com