Mari Louise Williamson

Mari Louise Richards Lord Williamson died peacefully at the Splendor Valley Care facility on January 25, 2021; 2 days after her 94th Birthday on January 23, 2021. A devoted wife and mother of three boys, Mari was the hub of the Williamson family.

Mari was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on January 23, 1927. Her father, George Richards, was tragically killed in an accident in Haworth, New Jersey, a month before Mari was born.  Mari lived in Scranton in the family house with her Mother, Grandmother, and Aunt. Mari developed a talent for playing the piano in Scranton at a young age. She could play any song she heard without the benefit of written music.

Mari’s Mother, Alice Louise Richards, married Stanley Lord, and they moved to the Los Angeles area. Mari graduated from Glendale High School in 1944 and continued her education at the University of Southern California (USC), earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Mari was a member of the Chi Omega sorority at USC. Lifelong friendships were established from Glendale and USC. The two most notable would be Janice McKeever, her friend from Glendale who died in June of 2000, and her dearest friend of more than 75 years, Marjorie Ellen Peck Cannon, who only recently died on December 18, 2020.

Mari meet her husband, John Arthur Williamson, on a blind date to a UCLA football game in the autumn of 1951. A courtship quickly unfurled, and the couple married on April 26, 1952. The family grew to include three sons-Richard Scott in 1954, David Andrew in 1956, and Thomas Arthur in 1960. Mari ran the family while Dad worked. There was nothing more important to her than her family.

Mari loved to travel the world with her husband. Friends and family would often join them. Mari served an 18-month stint on the San Diego County Grand Jury in the 1970’s. With kids out of the house, Mari secured her real estate agent license and she started working with John at Williamson Engineers as Office Manager. She remained working with John at the company until they decided to officially retire around 10 years ago.

Mari Louise will be rejoined with her husband of 64 years who died on May 31, 2016, Son David Andrew who also predeceased Mari in November of 1986 and daughter in-law Denice Phyliss who recently died on November 3, 2020. Mari is survived by sons Richard Scott and Thomas Arthur, a sister-in-law Jean Williamson Blois, two stepsisters-Ann Ryan and Janet Fletcher, five grandchildren and two very special great granddaughters, Teegan and Molly Williamson.

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