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Obituary

Mary Martha McCollough, known as "Mary," "Mary Martha," and as "Mimi," by many close friends and family, peacefully entered her new life with her beloved Saviour on January 21, 2021. Mary was born in Weirton, WV, and raised in Steubenville, OH. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph "Mac" Wayne McCollough and Helen Estella Grubbs; her brother and only sibling, Rev. R. Wayne McCollough; and her step-mother, Major Esther Mae McCollough. She was a multi-faceted, complex, intelligent, beautiful, fun-loving and deeply devoted mother, friend and neighbor. She nurtured and cared for people, animals, flowers and trees (including her Crepe Myrtle, which she babied in the Ohio climate). She loved Judeo-Christian traditions and spirituality; every type of water body, from bubble baths to creeks, to waterfalls; to the open seas; classical music, especially solo piano works; poetry; and all things Scots-Irish, from which much of her ancestry came. Mary was a skilled classical and church music pianist, having begun her musical life singing alto with her family quartet and playing the trombone in the marching band at Steubenville ("Big Red") High School. A life-long United Methodist, she attended Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, where she majored in Psychology, and where she met and married Robert Campbell Millard. After that, she developed her career as an administrator, writer, textbook editor for Merrill Publishing, and research assistant, eventually retiring from The Ohio State University Research Foundation. One of her proudest achievements was co-founding the Columbus Christian Singles group, which thrived through the 1970s, and which produced numerous lasting friendships and marriages. Those who knew Mary knew that she struggled with mental and emotional illness and depression. Nevertheless, she had a joyful, full-throated laugh, a disarming, bright smile, and a gentle warmth that could take the chill out of the air around her. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan Millard Schwarz and Jack Schwarz; sister-in-law, Nancy McCollough; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, other family, and friends, all of whom she loved. Mary's family wishes to extend deepest gratitude to the nursing and hospice staff at Wexner Heritage Village for their constant loving care and compassion for Mary. Mary embraced and manifested the biblical admonishment found in Luke 3:11 - "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." A private graveside service for the burial of cremains will be held in Wintersville, OH at Fort Steuben Burial Estate at a date to be determined, with Chaplain Jack Schwarz presiding. Those who wish to make a donation in Mary's name are encouraged to consider the Salvation Army, which was an organization dear to her, a local food bank, or animal shelter. Arrangements entrusted with the JOHN QUINT TREBONI FUNERAL HOME, 1177 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus.