Mary Louise Griffin Willson

Mary Louise Griffin Willson passed away peacefully at her home in Jupiter, Florida on December 16, 2025. The only child of Albert Andrew Griffin and Mary Tom Quarles Griffin, she was born on Christmas Day 1928 in Ocala, Florida. Though her early childhood spanned the Great Depression, Mary grew up with the feeling that they “had enough” and that she was treasured by her parents.

Mary graduated from High Springs High School in 1946. After a year at Florida State University, she transferred to the University of Florida (which had just begun admitting women) to enroll in the School of Pharmacy. Mary excelled at academics. At the University of Florida, she was a member of Trianon honorary, Rho Chi pharmaceutical honorary, Gamma Sigma Epsilon chemistry honorary, and Kappa Epsilon professional pharmacy society. She graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree.

She met Jack Sloane Willson, Jr., of Palm Beach, Florida at a social held by her Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and his Sigma Chi fraternity. Jack was studying architecture at UF after his service in WWII. He used to joke about their dates to the local drive-up soda shop, where they would sit in the car and he would quiz her on her organic chemistry note cards. They married on July 14, 1950.

During their nearly 36 years of marriage, they had four children and also maintained successful careers. Mary always kept her pharmacy license current and worked part-time once their youngest child was in elementary school. Mary and Jack were part of a tight-knit group that facilitated the post war boom in Palm Beach County. Jokingly calling themselves “The West Palm Beach-Marathon Marching and Chowder Society,” these families collaborated professionally, vacationed together, partied together, and helped parent each others’ children — a degree of friendship and community not easily achieved today. Mary was active in the Junior League of the Palm Beaches, serving as President from 1968-1969.

After Jack retired, they traveled extensively in their motorhome. Consecutive summer road trips took them to Alaska, all 48 lower states, and 8 Canadian provinces. Jack passed away in 1986 at the age of 60. In later years, Mary continued to pursue their shared love of travel, completing a summer school at Cambridge University, a Spanish immersion program in Oaxaca, Mexico, and numerous ElderHostel (now Roads Scholar) programs. At an ElderHostel program in North Carolina, she met her second husband, Joseph Pidkowicz. Mary especially loved the Blue Ridge Mountains and they divided their time between South Florida and Tennessee. Joseph died in 2022.

Mary is survived by her four children — David (Kayla), Susan, Elizabeth (Mike), and Jim (Amanda), her nine grandchildren — Adam, Rain (Paul), Gwen, Chris (Aisling), Lauren (Zack), Julianna, James, Christabel, and Devin, and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved caregiver, Rosenie Olivier, whose devoted care is deeply appreciated by Mary’s family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders. Cremation has taken place under the auspices of Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center. A private graveside service will be held on February 12.