Mary D. Mcgarvey

Mary D. "Dee" McGarvey, age 93 years, of Bethlehem Township, NJ, passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in the Rolling Hills Care Center, Clinton Township, NJ, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Newark, NJ, April 19, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Mary (Adams) Duncan. She was a Hunterdon County, NJ resident all her adult life.

She was a 1948 graduate of Kimberley High School in Montclair, NJ and a 1954 graduate of Wheaton College with a nursing degree. She went on to become a Registered Nurse in Newark, NJ throughout the 1950’s & 1960’s. Years later, after starting her family, Dee went back to school and received an associate’s degree from Somerset County College in 1981, a bachelor’s degree from Upsala College in 1982 and finally a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University in 1984.

Dee's true passion was helping those in need; she was a huge participant and believer in Alcoholics Anonymous. She supported many people after she overcame her own struggles. She practiced for over thirty years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) until retiring in 2019.

Dee’s many hobbies included ice skating, skiing, boating, saltwater fishing, target shooting, and especially swimming. She was a Red Cross swimming instructor and taught swimming lessons for many years at The Annandale Pond. Dee enjoyed folk music, speaking French, and was active in local theater, taking many roles in Hunterdon County plays during the 1960’s & 1970’s. She was good with horses and assisted her daughters and friends with horse training, care, and helped them compete in local equestrian events growing up. Additionally, Dee enjoyed summers on the coast of Maine at McFarland’s Cove, but above all, she loved spending time with friends and family.

She was predeceased by her former husband, Dereck Williamson; her second husband, James McGarvey, who died in 2005; as well as her brother, John Hughes, and her sister, Andrea Duncan Richelshagen.

Surviving are her four children, Drue Williamson of Princeton, NJ, Tim Williamson (Susan) of Long Valley, NJ, Susan Crocker (James) of Brewster, NY, and step-daughter, Cathy McGarvey of Oxford, NJ; six grandchildren, Cole Williamson, Ben Williamson (Jess), April Rumfield, Asher Rumfield (Alexis), Kyle Mashburn, and Jake Crocker; three great-grandchildren, Tim, Elliott, Sydney; as well as her brother, Robert Duncan (Pat) and her nephew, Spencer Duncan (Maria).

A visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. A memorial service, officiated by Rev. Christopher Small, will follow in the funeral home at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dee’s memory may be made to Rolling Hills Care Center, 16 Cratetown Road, Lebanon, NJ 08833. (908) 236-2011

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.