Mary Josephine Boyd

Mary Josephine Graham Boyd, 79, of Land O’ Lakes, formerly of Winnetka, Ill., passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026.

Born in Evanston, Ill. to Josephine Hall Graham and Donald Martin Graham, Mary Jo graduated from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and received a Master’s degree and completed all doctoral coursework in English Literature from Northwestern University. She was proud to be the fourth generation of women in her family to graduate from college.

Early in her freshman year at Wheaton College, Mary Jo met the love of her life, Craig Troupe Boyd. Mary Jo and Craig were married for 59 years and together raised four children.

Mary Jo was deeply invested in her communities, volunteering for her children’s schools, the Evanston Junior League, Kenilworth Union Church, Evanston Hospital, and the Boulder Junction Library.

A gifted writer, Mary Jo also found joy in reading British literature, historical fiction, and nature writing about the Northwoods of Wisconsin where she spent her childhood summers at Red Pine Camp and Dairymen’s. In retirement, she and Craig enjoyed many years in Northern Wisconsin in a home surrounded by natural beauty.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband, Craig; her children, Courtney (Patrick) Holzheimer, Alissa (John Paul) Kanwit, Emily (Dan) Cohen, and George (Carrie) Boyd; her nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren; her brother Alan (Pat) Graham and their daughters Shannon and Lauri; and her nephews Michael and Peter Graham. She was predeceased by her brother Robert Graham and his wife Denise.

In expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Dairymen’s Foundation, a nonprofit based in Boulder Junction that provides scholarships to local students and supports natural resource research efforts.

Checks payable to the Dairymen’s Foundation may be mailed to: Dairymen’s Foundation; PO Box. 289; Boulder Junction, WI 54512.

No formal services are planned, but the family appreciates your thoughts, prayers, and shared memories during this time.