Mary Hummon Grantham

Mary Hummon Grantham, age 85, of Abingdon, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the Wellmont Hospice House. Mary was born March 11, 1930 in Wauseon, Ohio to Kathryn and Clair Hummon. She graduated in 1951 from the Northwestern University School of Nursing in Evanston, Illinois. Mary worked as a registered nurse at the Northwestern Medical Center where, across an operating table, she met her husband of 61 years, Alan Grantham. Mary spent her life caring for others. As a child of the Depression she took care of her siblings; as a nurse she cared for her patients; and as a wife and mother she was the center and heart and soul of her family. Mary was wise, kind and compassionate. She was a mentor to many. She welcomed friends and family into her home with love and a gracious hospitality. Mary especially delighted in visits from her eight grandchildren. Food was central to the Grantham family celebrations, and Mary was an excellent cook. Her skills ranged from preparing wild game to haggis and Scotch eggs to French haute cuisine. She was a member of the first gourmet cooking club in Abingdon. Mary volunteered her time at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church and the William King Art Center, and was a cherished member of the Abingdon community for over 50 years. Mary is survived by her sisters, Ann McNeal and Nancy Culp; two sons, Christopher Dow Grantham and wife Michele of Tucson, AZ and Jeremy Hummon Grantham and wife Laura of Abingdon, VA; two daughters, Judith Grantham Paton and husband David, of Helena, MT and Sarah Grantham Williams and husband Peter of Raleigh, NC; and eight grandchildren, Hannah, Sophie Rose, Nicholas, Grantham, Joseph, Julianna, Sarah and Kathryn. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Alan and her brother, John Jeremiah Hummon. A memorial service is planned for the spring at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Incryptment will follow in the columbarium at St. Thomas. Mary loved books and reading, and imparted that love of reading to her children. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Washington County Public Library Foundation, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 www.wcpl.net Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com