Mary Louise Williams

Mary L. (Hermick) Williams, age 93, of Mentor and Gates Mills, Ohio, died peacefully at home October 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Painesville, Ohio in November, 1931 to parents Ellen and Louis Hermick. Mary was predeceased by her dear husband of nearly 30 years, Bruce R. Williams.

The oldest of two children, Mary Louise was raised at Shady Brook Farm in Kirtland Hills. Alongside her mother, Mary became adept at canning vegetables, and sewing her own clothes. Her father, an expert horse trainer, taught her horsemanship at which she excelled. Her parents instilled in her the values of hard work and generosity. 

Mary, with first husband Tom Page, raised five children whom she encouraged to be open-minded and thoughtful. When her children were school-aged, she could be found volunteering as a homeroom mother, welcoming foreign exchange students, or taking part in the Mentor High School Circus riding the elephant. Over the years, she adopted a menagerie of horses, dogs and cats - even peacocks, a donkey, and a rescued fox that she carefully returned to the wild. 

She enjoyed people, the outdoors, and travel - whether across the country or across the world - frequently with her husband Bruce, with whom she enjoyed many happy adventures together, often traveling by antique car. Mary always carried her camera to capture special moments, accruing a vast collection of photographs she would happily share with others. 

Known as Mary Page in the art community, she was accomplished in many mediums, most notably watercolors, which she entered in area shows. Her artistic themes reflected her interest in people, the natural world, and animals. In recent years she was a frequent volunteer at the Gates Mills Art Show. While she kept a busy calendar, she always made time for gardening, book club, or luncheons with family and friends.

Mary was also a respected small business owner in the Painesville area. She believed in the goodness of others and built her relationships with genuine care and kindness over many decades.

Mary’s life was active and filled with the joy she found in forging close ties with her family. She is survived by her five children: John Page of Painesville; Janis Realegeno of Oakland, California; Kimberly (Thomas) Hamilton of Kirtland; Karen Berberat of Brooklyn, New York; and Kristin Page-Forstyk (Gregg) of Chardon. She also leaves behind ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two nephews and two nieces, two step-daughters, seven step-grandchildren, and many friends; each one loved and appreciated for the unique individual they are. She will be greatly missed by all.

In addition to her husband Bruce and her parents, Mary was predeceased by her brother Donald Hermick, sister-in-law Diane "Dini" Hermick, step-daughter Pam Roeser, and first husband Thomas H. "Tom" Page.

A celebration of her life will be held at Wildwood Cultural Center, 7645 Little Mountain Rd, Mentor, Ohio, on Sunday November 23rd at 2pm. The family encourages friends, both old and new, to come have a cup of coffee, reminisce, and feel free to wear something in their favorite color. A private burial in Mentor Cemetery is being planned.

To honor her memory, the family believes Mary would be pleased if we are able, to plant a perennial, a tree, or to try that new recipe.