Mary Willis

Biography

MARY CATHERINE WILLIS
Catherine Willis, 53, died May1. 2010, surrounded by her family at home in Tallahassee after a brief illness. She was born August 12, 1956 in Iowa City, Iowa.
The funeral will be at East Hill Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2010. Family will receive friends at the church following the service. There will be a private burial.
Catherine was the daughter of Elizabeth Willard (Bib) Willis of Tallahassee and Dr. Paul David Willis of Jacksonville. She spent her childhood in Iowa City and Jacksonville, and attended Jacksonville Episcopal High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, a Master's degree in Anatomy and was ABD in Physiology from the University of Florida.
While in Gainesville, she was the President of the Gainesville Chapter of the National Organization for Women for several years, acting as their spokesperson. She had an extensive career in marketing, advertising, public relations and sales promotion, including positions with The Tallahassee Democrat, Dallas Morning News, and Scripps Community Newspapers. She held managerial positions with several restaurant organizations, including Buckhead Brewery and Lt. Governors Public House and Grill in Tallahassee and Innovative Restaurant Concerns, Inc. in Atlanta, Ga.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her children, Jordan Catherine Raymond, a student at Stanford University, and her son, Frederick (Rick) Raymond, a student at Georgia State University. She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth (Beth) Tedio (Fred), her brother, Daniel Paul (Sandy) and her sister- in- law, Cynthia Phipps Willis. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Donald, in 2005.
She also is survived by her nieces, Kendall and Bailey Willis; nephews Nicholas and Sean (Brooke) Tedio; John Michael and Matthew Willis; Ian and Harrison Willis; all of Tallahassee; her uncle, Ira F.Chick Willard ( Betty)of Havana, Fl; her aunts, Frances Baker (Jim) of Ashland, Kansas and Patricia Willard and her cousin, Matthew Willard, of Tallahassee.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mary E. Willis Account for the Benefit of Jordan and Rick Raymond. Farmer's and Merchant's Bank, 2000 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, 32301.
Faith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements ( 850-539-4300 or www.faithfuneralhome.com)

Funeral Service

Saturday May 29, 2010, 10:30 - a.m. at East Hill Baptist Church
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