Mary E. Griswold

Obituary for Mary Elizabeth Griswold

After a five year battle with pancreatic cancer, Mary Griswold passed away at her home in Arbor
Vitae on Saturday, July 16. She was surrounded by her loving husband and three children.

Mary was born December 8, 1930, in Racine, Wisconsin, to Norman and Carol (Gretzinger)
Thomas. She attended Washington Park and St. Catherine High Schools, and graduated from
Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics with a major
in Institutional Food Service.

She worked in Food Service at Bowling Green University in Ohio, and as Food Service
Manager at Ferris State College in Big Rapids, Michigan.

She married Harry Griswold also of Racine, Wisconsin in 1956, and they lived in Milwaukee,
Oshkosh, Indianapolis, Detroit, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and Gladstone, Michigan, before retiring
and settling in Arbor Vitae in 1988. In addition to raising three children, she kept very busy
doing volunteer work in their schools and as leader, cookie chairman and troop organizer for the
Girl Scouts. Her hobbies included playing golf and biking during the summers and playing
bridge and quilting in the winter.

Since moving to the Northwoods, Mary has enjoyed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, biking
hiking and kayaking as a member of the Northwoods Ski Touring Association. Mary served as
President and Co-Chaired many committees with her husband Harry. She founded the group
Yakkers Too, women who kayak weekly and which has grown to 50 members. She started a
Quilting Group at Holy Family Church. Mary was an avid card player and enjoyed playing bridge with several local groups.

Harry and Mary were looking forward to celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on August 11.

She is survived by her loving husband Harry and three children: Gail Griswold (Kevin) McGrath
in Naperville, IL, Susan Mary Griswold (Jay Hetzel) in Woodland Park, CO, Thomas Henry
(Barbie) Griswold in Comstock Park, MI, and five grandchildren: Megan McGrath, Colin
McGrath, Brendan McGrath, Sam Griswold and Spencer Griswold. She is also survived
by one brother Allan Thomas of Lake Tomahawk. She was preceded in death by three brothers: Richard, Frederick and Robert.

Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, July 21st at Holy Family Catholic Church at 11:00 AM with a Memorial Gathering from 10:00 AM till time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ministry Home Care Dr. Kate Hospice Services,
PO Box 770, Woodruff, WI 54568 or to Holy Family Catholic Church, 8950 County Hwy. J,
Woodruff, WI.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com

Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.