Mary Susanna Willis

Mary Susanna Willis, 78, of Rock Hall, Maryland passed away peacefully on June 16, 2026 at Corsica Hills Nursing Facility in Centreville, Maryland. Born in Crisfield, Maryland on February 2, 1948, the daughter of the late Reverend Robert Ellsworth and Cora McWhorter Green. She was a 1966 graduate of Chestertown High School and a 1972 graduate of Washington College, where she earned a Bachelor of Art degree in Sociology. On December 27, 1974, she married William Arthur Willis. Mary Sue and her husband owned and operated The Sailing Emporium in Rock Hall from 1977 until 2017. She also found great fulfillment in owning and operating Durding’s Store on Main Street in Rock Hall, where she loved giving free ice cream to honor roll students and those undergoing cancer treatments. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Chestertown, the church her father pastored, and Rock Hall United Methodist Church. Mary Sue was active in the community as a member of the Rock Hall Museum and Rock Hall Waterman’s Museum, and especially cherished the time she spent volunteering for youth activities in Kent County including Horizon’s, Character Counts, and programs at Rock Hall Elementary and Middle Schools, where she was known as “Grammy Girl” by all. She was known for her boundless generosity, supporting numerous charitable organizations, and for the caring, motherly guidance she offered to many in the community. She enjoyed gardening, tending to her cats, reading, traveling, entertaining, and most of all spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Robert Ellsworth Green and Cora McWhorter Green, and her sister, Carolee Weidner. She is survived by her husband, William A. Willis; her sons, Thomas H. Willis (Jennifer,deceased) and Robert E. Willis, Sr. (Jennifer); her brother, Bob Green (Lynn); her brother-in-law, Jerome Weidner; her nieces and nephews, Valerie Callahan (Scott), Cheryl Weidner, Michael Weidner, and Robert Green (Kim); her grandchildren, Alexis A. Willis, Lily S. Willis, Kaitlynn M. Willis, Macy C. Willis, Kacey E. Willis and Robert E. Willis, Jr.; her great grandchildren Hudson Phillips and Laynee Phillips; and her great nieces and nephews, Ryan Callahan and Rachel Callahan. Services will be held on Wednesday, June 24th at 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church where relatives and friends may call from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Interment will be in Chester Cemetery Chestertown. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Christ First United Methodist Church 401 High St. Chestertown, MD 21620. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home Chestertown. www.fhnfuneralhome.com

Mary Susanna Willis

February 2, 1948 - June 16, 2026