Mrs. Willard with her husband, George
Knoxville Catholic leader and social worker Mary Catherine Hughes Willard died in her home on Feb. 16. She was 90 years old.
Mrs. Willard was a longtime leader in the Knoxville Roman Catholic diocese. She coordinated the installation of the first two bishops of Knoxville and participated in the installation of Bishop Mark Beckman last year. Pope Benedict XVI honored her with a papal recognition in 2006 when she was awarded the Benemerenti Medal for service to the Church.
She served as the organist and choir director for Immaculate Conception Catholic church for more than 60 years, beginning her service when she was a student at Knoxville Catholic High School, where she graduated in the class of 1952. Mrs. Willard also attended the old St. Mary School in downtown Knoxville.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work, Mrs. Willard was a widely recognized and honored social worker. She was a recipient of the John J. Duncan Award for Senior Advocacy from the Knox County Office on Aging in 2006. An advocate for services for the poor, she worked with the state’s bishops to establish the Catholic Day on the Hill bringing hundreds of Catholics from across the state to meet with state legislators and governors each year.
“Mother was very proud of her advocacy for the poor,” said her son, Michael Willard, executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Austin, Texas. “She worked with Father Charles Strobel when he was assistant pastor at the Immaculate Conception Church to feed the homeless and needy in Knoxville. She continued and expanded that vocation when she worked as assistant director at the Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service for many years.”
She also served on local boards and committees including the 1996 Leadership Knoxville class, the St. Mary’s Medical Center Board of Directors, and as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 1995.
Mrs. Willard was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, George N. Willard, and her sister, Sister Mary Jolita Hughes. She is survived by her children; Patrick (Diane), Michael and Ned (Maria) Willard, Ann (Danny) MacDonald, Jean (John) Asinger, Mary Jo (Jim) Schmalz, and Karen (Kenny) Kidner; 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and her sister, Therese (Pat) Hurley.
Mrs. Willard gave her body to the East Tennessee State University medical school’s anatomical gift program. No memorial services have been scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Sister Jolita fund at St. Joseph Catholic School, or the George and Mary Catherine Willard fund at Knoxville Catholic High School.
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On the big stage or one on one, my Aunt Mary Catherine was the real deal. She loved people and I and my family personally experienced her love and caring. I know Aunt Mary Catherine and Uncle George are celebrating in heaven and God is surely saying “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Aunt Mary Catherine was always an inspiration, not only in her many, many accomplishments, but just a kind soul with a great smile for everyone. I am glad Uncle George will once again have her with him. May all the Willards take comfort in celebrating her full life.
My sincerest condolences to Therese & Pat Hurley and their family, as well as to Mrs. Willard’s family.
Mary Katherine was truly God’s choice for being an Angel on Earth. This lady was truly special. She will be deeply missed.
Fondly,
Bea and Cary Sorensen
Galveston Island, TX
Mrs. Willard was such a blessing to all who knew her. Her sweet smile will forever remain in my memories. She will be greatly missed.
Mary Catherine was a tremendous help to me and our family in helping my dad remain in his home until he passed away at 92 years of age. Her kindness and compassion made all our lives better. She was truly “something of a scholar, something of a lady, and something of a saint”. Knowing her was a great gift to my life,
I am sorry to hear this sad news. Mrs. Willard was certainly a community leader but her outstanding children are her masterpiece.
I remember Mrs. Willard as a strong, loving mom in our very lucky little community. Blessed to have known her, and I remember how much my dad thought of her.
Mary Catherine, my cousin, was a walking saint! If anyone , no matter race, creed or sex she was there for them.
She dedicated her life to God and family. Our loss of Mary Catherine will be felt far and wide.
I will miss my visits with her, playing cards and Dominoes ! Sitting in her living room watching her birds, coming to the feeder outside her window. Mary Catherine wasn’t just a cousin, she was the patriarch of the family on our mother’s side of the family! Good nigh dear Mary Catherine! I know you are in heaven with George and the rest who have gone to be with the Lord! I loved you and will foever miss you! Shirley.
Mary Catherine, my cousin, was a walking saint! If anyone , no matter race, creed or sex, she was there for them.
She dedicated her life to God and family. Our loss of Mary Catherine will be felt far and wide.
I will miss my visits with her, playing cards and Dominoes ! Sitting in her living room watching her birds, coming to the feeder outside her window. Mary Catherine wasn’t just a cousin, she was the patriarch of the family on our mother’s side of the family!
Good nigh dear Mary Catherine! I know you are in heaven with George and the rest who have gone to be with the Lord!
I loved you and will forever miss you! Shirley.
Dear Mary Catherine, rest in peace! You were a walking saint amongst us!
Mary Catherine always had a smile and a welcome to everyone just as her mother (Mary Hughes) alway did
when I attended Knoxville Catholic High School. Mary Catherine was an inspiration to all who knew her, I know
her family is grieving especially her sister Therese because you seldom saw one without the other at Immaculate
Conception Church. May she rest in peace and as my Dad would say “may God be with her”.
Mary Catherine blessed so many lives with beautiful words, gentle demeanor and sharing her love to so many people, in so many ways. Her life and actions were much more than doing what may have been expected of her, but she shared her life doing what all of us have been called to do- love one another and help one another.
Physically, she will be missed, as so many have said. However, spiritually she will be with each one of us each day of our lives. A think of so many family gatherings over the decades I have known her. Those Prichett reunions where always so special with her and the other family members. She was always upbeat, joyful, engaging, knowledgeable. She loved talking with everyone and hearing how they were doing. Conversations were not about her, they were about you and your family.
May all who grieve today, remember her often as you move through your life, and she will be right at your side. God has blessed her well. May each of us find peace and comfort every day and share her stories and life whenever the occassion arises.