Mary Christian “Chrissie” Grant O’brien
January 7, 1935 - January 24, 2024
On January 24, 2024, Mary Christian “Chrissie” Grant O’brien passed away peacefully at home with her children present. She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on January 7, 1935, to Mary Christian Moorman Grant and George William Grant. Her father was an oil and gas attorney for Trans Western Oil Company and when they, along with many other Oklahoma companies, moved to San Antonio in 1938, so did the Grant family. Chrissie attended St. Mary’s Hall until tenth grade when she transferred to Alamo Heights High School and graduated in 1952. During this time, Chrissie was a pioneer in Women’s competitive swimming in Texas. As a founding member of the San Antonio Aquatic Club, she won races in the 50, 100, and 200-meter freestyle. At 14, she competed in the American Athletic Union (AAU) women’s national championship at the new Alamo Heights pool. She attended The University of Texas in Austin where she became a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. In 1954, Chrissie married Walter Edward Williamson and immersed herself in San Antinio life as a member of The Junior League of San Antonio, Green Hand Garden Club, The Conservation Society, and San Antonio Country Club. In 1972, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio with a BA in Math and Physics. In the years that followed, Chrissie used her mathematical skill and talent in several professional capacities including as a teacher, business manager, and administrator. However, she fondly remembered the five years she served as the Director of the Episcopal Student Center, commonly known as the Canterbury House on the campus of San Antonio College. Chrissie was gifted at needlepoint which she enjoyed as an adult as well as attending the San Antonio Symphony and Opera. She also continued enjoying swimming into her later years. In 1992, she became reacquainted with her high school sweetheart, Thomas O’brien of Midland, TX. They were married in 2003 in Hawaii, and she moved to Midland.
Chrissie was proceeded in death by her husband, Thomas Michael O’brien; her daughter, Mary Christian Williamson Payne; her parents, George William Grant and Mary Christian Moorman Grant; her grandparents, Lewis Jefferson Moorman, M.D., and Mary Christian Davis Moorman and Joseph Henry Grant and Lillian Fant Grant. She was also proceeded in death by the father of her children, Walter Edward Williamson. Chrissie is survived by her son, Robert Earl Williamson and wife, Robin; her daughter Kelly Katherine Williamson and companion Nino Bianchi; grandchildren Mary Christian Payne and husband Walter Adams, Blaine Marie Williamson Dugger and husband, Grant Dugger,
and Grant Christian Williamson; and great grandchildren Starla and Logan; and her brother Joseph Moorman Grant and his wife Sheila. The family would like to thank Carolyn Washington and Darlene Allen, who lovingly cared for Chrissie in her final weeks. Services celebrating Chrissie’s life will be held in San Antonio on Friday, February 9, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 1:30 pm, located at 315 E. Pecan St. A reception will follow from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at The Argyle located at 934 Patterson Avenue. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.