Mary Elizabeth Jackson Wyss

Mary Elizabeth Jackson Wyss, 73, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. 

Born to Orvind Richard (Bud) and Margaret Lee (Mitchell) Jackson on December 28, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa, Mary was the first of eight children – six daughters and two sons. 

Mary’s love of education was sparked by her attendance at her father’s graduation from dental school when she was five years old. 

She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1967 and then continued to earn a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in History and Accounting, from Iowa State University in 1972. 

Enamored from an early age with England, she set her sights on finding a way to move there. After working for a short time in Chicago in the commodities business, she quickly accomplished her goal, winning a transfer to London with her employer, EF Hutton. 

In 1974, Mary met Stephen L. Wyss (Steve) who was also working as an American expatriate in London. They were married on December 11, 1976. During their first twenty years of marriage, they lived in Paris, New York, Toronto, and Philadelphia before moving to Richmond, Virginia in 1987. Following a second time residing in Canada from 1993 to 1997, they returned to Richmond where they made their home in the Short Pump area for the next 25 years. 

Mary played a crucial role in building the family business, Affinity Group Underwriters, teaching herself how to program and developing and directing the company’s information technology systems. 

Her passion for reading fueled her wide-ranging interests in an eclectic variety of genres and subjects. 

Steve always said that he asked her to marry him because she was the most interesting, intelligent and independent woman he had ever met – and her cooking was really good too. 

She is survived by Steve, her husband of 45 years; their three sons, Stephen Mitchell Gehri (Mitch) Wyss of Chesterfield VA, David Richard Christian (Dave) Wyss of Madrid Spain, and Jonathan Fredrick Hughes (Jay) Wyss of Henrico VA; two daughters-in-law, Melissa Ann Dotson (Mitch) and Carolina Pirola Igoa (Dave); two grandchildren, Sara Michelle Wyss (age 11- Mitch & Melissa) and Jack Wyss Pirola (age 3 -Dave and Carolina). 

Other survivors include three sisters: Cathy Gersema, Nancy Jackson, Barbara Hart; and two brothers: Michael Jackson and Thomas Jackson. 

Mary was predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Deb Porter, and Margaret Sholar. Rest in peace, Mary. We will always love you and cherish the time we had together. 
A service will be held, 1:00 P.M. Friday, July 15th at Saint Mary Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Road, Richmond, VA 23229. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society or another of the many organizations devoted to pancreatic cancer research is suggested. 

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