Mary Jo (Grimsley) Hallam, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, with family by her side. Born in Ironton, OH, she was the daughter of Ralph and Hollis Grimsley. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Bernard, in 2012. She was a graduate of Bowling Green State University (OH), and was a proud Alpha Phi. She maintained close relationships with her sorority sisters throughout the rest of her life.
Bernie and Mary Jo raised their family in Morris Plains, NJ, living there for 30 years and forming many cherished friendships. Prior to children and once they were older, Mary Jo taught high school/college English and secretarial skills in OH and NJ. She and Bernie retired to New Bern, NC in 1992, and embraced retirement enthusiastically, traveling extensively both in the US and abroad. Mary Jo also volunteered much of her time at the local elementary school, nursing homes, and was active with many health charities.
A fitness fanatic long before it was fashionable, Mary Jo could always be found outside and active, from ice skating, water skiing, sailing, and cross-country skiing in her younger days to riding her bike, walking and swimming well into her late 80s. In addition to fitness, Mary Jo was an accomplished and prolific needleworker and quilter, and enjoyed gardening, reading and singing.
Above all, Mary Jo was a strong Christian woman who lived her faith in every way. She was an active member of the Church of Christ in Whippany, NJ, and Broad Creek Christian church in New Bern, NC, and has touched the lives of so many as an example of a good and faithful servant of Christ.
Mary Jo is survived by her daughter Julie and son-in-law Joe, son David and daughter-in-law Sharon, and grandchildren John, Sarah, Leah, and James. Devoted to all her grandchildren, she shared an extra special bond with her “Little Leah”, and Leah absolutely adored her Grammy. With dogged determination and the patience of a saint, Grammy gets most of the credit for teaching Leah to both swim and ride a bike, two skills that every grandchild of hers was going to master! She is also survived by her sister-in-law Rosemary Grimsley, 3 nephews, their spouses, and their children. She was predeceased by her favorite older brother Bill, Rosemary’s husband.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Mary Jo’s name to Shepherd’s Ministries, 1805 15th Ave, Union Grove, WI 53182.
Due to the current pandemic, a celebration of Mary Jo’s life will be held at a later date.
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