"Jerry" is the 3rd from the left

As her husband, John Williams explains about his marriage to Mary Geraldine "Jerry" Williams, "I had won my Red Cross girl." Jerry had an amazing spirit and loved the American Red Cross.  She served with the American Red Cross overseas for nearly 3 years during World War II, but never stopped serving the Red Cross and the millions of people touched by her favorite organization.

Jerry joined the American Red Cross on April 5, 1943 and served as a "Red Cross Girl" overseas until May 2, 1946, serving our American troops in South Asia, France and Germany. Jerry even made her way to a remote glider command post near the Burmese border where the only entry was by plane.  She joined the Red Cross because of her wanderlust spirit and her desire to see the world. She also had a burning desire to serve our troops and keep up morale during the war.  Jerry served our troops by offering them coffee and donuts, providing a happy face in a bad climate and a shoulder to cry on at the same time.  "I wouldn't trade my job for any other in the army or back home for the world," said Jerry of her time with the Red Cross.

In describing some of the people she met during her time with the Red Cross she stated, "They are men from every walk of life and type of living...It's terribly interesting getting to know them, finding out about their pasts, learning about states I've never had a chance to see."  The same holds true for many of today's volunteers – they travel to places they would never otherwise have a chance to see and meet people from all walks of life.

Upon her return from overseas in 1946, Jerry and John were married in Manhattan. Although she was no longer working for the Red Cross, the organization never left her heart. Jerry's respect for the American Red Cross remained firm through the years. She joined the Overseas Service League Inc., (OSL) a Red Cross alumna group– [the Red Cross has groups across the country to keep volunteers and members together]. Jerry served in many capacities for the OSL, including twice serving as president and also for many years as editor of their newsletter "Over Here."

The members of OSL met each Memorial Day in a grove in Central Park for a special ceremony to honor the deceased.  Engraved in granite at the base of a large flagpole in the area are the words; "In memory of members of the Overseas Service League who served with the Red Cross in the First and Second World Wars." The group also held an annual dinner at the National Guard armory. 

She and John continued to make financial donations to the American Red Cross through the years. She was also thoughtful and generous in thinking ahead about how to make a difference. Just as she supported the Red Cross during her life, she decided to remember the Red Cross in her estate plan, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and hope to those in need by leaving a bequest to the American Red Cross in her will.

We are thankful to Jerry for all of her service to the Red Cross both during her life and after. Her generosity allows the Red Cross to continue to fulfill its lifesaving mission in your community, across the country and around the world.

To learn more about making a bequest to the American Red Cross  similar to the late Mrs. William's, contact the Gift Planning Office at 1-800-797-8022, ext. 5, plndgiving@usa.redcross.org or log on to www.redcrosslegacy.org.