Mary Jean Williams

Mary Jean Wiliams, 87 of Indian Harbour Beach, FL passed away August 31, 2024, at Zon Beachside Assisted Living. Born July 31, 1937, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late William Ralph and Mary Imogene (Perrie) Gardiner. Mary Jean grew up in Waldorf, MD on their family farm at the end of Gardiner Rd, now the location of Charles County Agricultural and Environmental Service Center. When she was nine her parents moved closer to “town” when they purchased 55 acres on Route 5 in Waldorf. Years later Charles County would acquire the property for construction of Thomas Stone High School. She had such fond memories of her idyllic childhood growing up in a large extended Southern Maryland family during simpler times that she later penned a set of personal memoirs depicting her earlier life. Mary Jean found her future mate, Don Williams in 1954 during a summer job at the old Pargas Company in Waldorf. She enjoyed retelling the story of how they met over a bet she made with another high school friend that she could get the “good-looking” reserved new colleague at Pargas to speak to them by the end of the day. She won that bet by waiting for him when he came to collect his sport coat before leaving and smiled while inquiring innocently, “How did you like your first day?”. Later she worked for Southern Maryland Oil until she became old enough for employment with the Department of the Navy. Mary Jean and Don were married on October 20, 1956, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Waldorf, MD. Together they raised five children in Southern Maryland before eventually becoming full-time FL residents in the late 1990’s. She was a member of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a former member of Republican Women St Mary’s. After moving to FL, she continued to support candidates by volunteering and waving signs. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Don, sisters Mary Imogene Gardiner, Dorothy Sullivan, Betty Ann Dateno and brothers W. Ralph, Harold, Gerald and Wayne Gardiner. She is survived by sons Michael, Todd and Brad; daughters Beth Bonifant (Edward), and Kimberly Keller. Thirteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren (with two more on the way) and sisters Kay Simmons, Linda Walter, Janice Gardiner and brother Randy Gardiner. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 17, 2024,11:00 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church Hollywood, MD. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care https://reflectionslsc.org/donate/.