Mary Jane Bowers Willis

1932 - 2021

Mary Jane Bowers Willis departed this life on Friday, February 19, 2021 and went to be with her Lord after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary Jane was born August 1, 1932 in Richmond, Virginia. She grew up on Monument Avenue enjoying the escapades of her siblings and the wonderful coffee from her father's company in Shockoe Slip, Bowers Brother's Coffee. Summers were spent swimming in the Chesapeake Bay and dancing in the Old Red Barn in Deltaville, Virginia where the family cottage on Stingray Point is still treasured today (along with fine coffee) by her children and grandchildren. After graduating from Richmond Collegiate, she attended Presbyterian affiliated Wilson College for women in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and English. She then had one of her greatest experiences which generated many memories, traveling abroad in Europe for 5 ½ months after her graduation. Thereafter, she returned to Richmond to work in the travel industry until she met and married her husband of 54 years, William Earl Willis.

Mary Jane and Earl subsequently lived in Roanoke and Farmville where Earl started his career in Hospital Administration. In 1963, they moved to Virginia Beach when Earl was hired to oversee the construction and launch of Virginia Beach General Hospital. During this time, Mary Jane was the consummate hostess, entertainer, devoted wife and mother. Her love of the water kept her family and many friends close to the ocean. She and Earl enjoyed entertaining at their home in Virginia Beach on 70th Street, frequenting the family cottage in Deltaville with friends and wintering at their condominium on the intercoastal waterway in North Palm Beach, Florida.

Mary Jane was always active in her community serving a myriad of organizations and offering a helping hand to anyone in need. She loved to travel and play tennis, rarely passed up a hand of bridge and expressed herself through painting, leaving her artistic talents sprinkled across Virginia and Florida for all to share. Mary Jane was a life-long student of the arts and flourished when inspired by movement in people and places around her. She could be stirred by a subtle expression, changing light on the horizon, water rippling through rocks and of course, the ocean. Her best works were through the mediums of oil, acrylic and watercolor.

Mary Jane enjoyed life and was full of spunk. She could make anyone laugh and excelled at the gift of gab. Her magnetism was irresistible. Mary Jane had the remarkable talent of making each person she encountered feel special and that the relationship with her was unique. This is most exemplified by her relationship with her much-adored children and grandchildren with whom she shared a very special bond.

Most importantly, Mary Jane was devoted to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A lifelong Presbyterian and member of First Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach, she lived and taught her faith every day. She was a member of the Presbyterian Women, a Stephen's Minister, a crisis counselor with the Contact crisis hotline and helped out on just about every church committee there ever was. More impactful, however, was how Mary Jane's inner light attracted people to her. Friends and strangers (not for long) quickly came to know her warmth, humility and grace which she shared freely with all.

Mary Jane is predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Roscoe Bowers; her sister, Ann Fraser Catterton; her brother, John Ros Bowers; and her beloved husband, William Earl Willis. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Ann Keever (Mac), her son Ros Richardson Willis (Katherine), grandchildren Lucy Elizabeth Willis and Clay Richardson Bowers Willis, her sister-in-law Margaret Bowers Tallman Brockenbrough and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

The family wants to thank all of the staff of Westminster Canterbury and the Hoy Center who compassionately cared for Mary Jane in her final days. In addition, the family wants to express gratitude to Dr. Gregory J. Warth of Virginia Beach Premier Medical and his empathetic staff and Dr. Michael McCollum of Virginia Oncology Specialists and his supportive staff, all of whom provided love and care to Mary Jane.

Due to COVID-19, only a private family graveside service will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia, the American Cancer Society, or a favored charity. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.