It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Mary Frances McGrath (82) of Maryville, TN has gone home. Mary passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 7, 1944 in Burlington, VT to parents Wilfred and Winifred Blow. She graduated from Burlington High School and attended Community College of Vermont.

She married Patrick Henry McGrath on January 19, 1963, and they were together over 50 years before he passed away on September 4, 2013. Partners in life as well as business. They owned and operated McGrath’s Market in Williston, VT for many years and raised three remarkable sons. Once their children were grown, together they left Vermont to explore living at first in Florida, then finally settling in Maryville, TN – a community they both loved.

Besides running a successful market, Mary had several jobs over the years. She ran an in-home daycare when her boys were small, then worked in retail, manufacturing, customer service and as an administrative assistant. Her most recent and rewarding position was in the offices of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. It was profoundly fulfilling for her to be able to devote herself to her religion professionally in addition to personally. After all, faith isn’t something you do; it’s who you are.

Mary was an avid reader, a lifelong learner, and an accomplished seamstress. She made everything from Vacation Bible School costumes to her daughter-in-law’s wedding and bridesmaids dresses. She was a dreamer but also deeply rooted in her traditional New England pragmatism; a realist, yet trusting since she accepted people at face value. Headstrong yet adaptable; resilient; adventurous and deeply spiritual.

She is survived by sons Patrick (Penny), Shawn (Kimberley), and Brennan (Beth). Grandchildren Ryan (Sheena), Ian (Angela), Kelsey, Riley, Brandon (Hamilton) Timmerman, Brody Timmerman, and Jenna Timmerman. And Great-Grandchildren Percival, Estelle and Maddie. In addition, her brother Michael (Donna) Blow and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents, her husband Patrick Henry, her brothers Thomas Blow and Robert Blow, and sister-in-law Betsy Blow.