Mary Frances Walker

Mary Frances (Lynch) Walker died peacefully in her sleep on April 3, 2023 at the age of 99, at Asbury Methodist Village, Gaithersburg, Maryland. She graduated valedictorian of Collierville High School class of 1941 and earned her BS degree in Math from Rhodes College in 1945.

Mary Frances, nicknamed Lynne, was married for 61 years to John P. Walker, Jr. She lived a full and rewarding life, raising two sons, John P. Walker III (Bonita Albright) and James L. Walker (Mary Sim). She had two grandchildren, Bethany L. Walker and Jonathan L. Walker, Sr. and two great grandchildren, Sidonie S. Walker-Conway and Jonathan L. Walker, Jr. She had one niece and many nephews. She was preceded in death by her younger sister, Kathryn Lynch Broderick.

After her husband’s eyesight deteriorated, Mary Frances’ keen mind was put to good use, as she read to John for hours from highly technical publications so that he could carry on his work as a physicist. They continued an active lifestyle cruising on the Chesapeake Bay, skiing in Alta, UT and traveling with the Penn State Alumni. Mary Frances obtained a USCG Captain’s license, which enabled her to be Captain of their beloved sailboat, “Gusto.” They were members for many years of the Southern Maryland Sailing Association and the US Power Squadron. She and John circumnavigated the world on Gusto, as well as sailed the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. Following retirement, Mary Frances and John built their home on St. Inigoes Creek in Southern Maryland.

A private service will be held at the Magnolia Cemetery in Collierville, TN. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to her two favorite charities,

St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Asbury Methodist Village Foundation Benevolent Care Fund, 201 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877