Obituaries

Martha Ann Williamson Williams

“She was the perfect hostess and I knew to leave the details of His visit to her. Her parties were always lovely. As was this one. He was a gentle guest. Perfectly mannered. So much so that she left … smitten, light-hearted and renewed … with Him. With Death. She left behind party favors for us. Blank pages to write on. To finish our life stories in the fullest ways humanly possible … just like she did. It was the perfect time to leave us … The stars were sparkling so brightly …”

And that was how Martha Ann Williamson Williams left this earth Jan. 27 at 95 years of age. She was a beloved Momma and Grammy and left holding the hands of her daughter, Penelope Williams Rudder, and granddaughter, Melissa Patton Rudder, as they whispered words of thankfulness and praise, encouragement and love from the entire family in her ear. Death came just as she had wished, in the peace of her home. She was both the cherished head of our family and also a retired English teacher and so, now, we must continue her story with both abundant love and correct grammar!

Marty began her journey in Cleveland, Ohio, March 24, 1923, born to Amy (Kroehle) and Earl Alfred Williamson. Educated in a combination of unique home-schooling venues and brick-and-mortar schools, she went first to The Ogontz School and then graduated from Smith College. While an excellent student, she also excelled on the dance floor and tennis courts until a “lovable-huggable” redhead caught her eye. She married Charles Barnett Williams Jan. 4, 1946.

After years of living in Cleveland, they moved to Pittsburgh, where Marty decided at age 40 to continue her schooling and got her master’s in education from the University of Pittsburgh. She taught English and psychology until her retirement in the 1980s. She and Charlie then moved to the family home on Shelter Island to enjoy the sailing, the incredible talent, especially musicals, in nearby theater, the abundant local farmers’ markets, the restaurants she loved discovering and the natural beauty, all of which continued to delight her for nearly 40 years. Her enthusiasm spilled over into other areas: playing all types of bridge games, volunteering service to the American Red Cross, ELIH Auxiliary and Shelter Island Garden Club, reading five to six books a week, getting together with her fun-loving “Party Girls” group of friends and, of course, planning her beautiful parties and family reunions.

Marty’s family would like to thank the loving teamwork of Rhonda Corbett, Clint Corbett, Gulnara Akhobadze, Ana Alvizures, Reina Miguel, Esvin Rodriguez, Cathy Rasmussen, the Shelter Island Senior Center, the Shelter Island Police and Fire departments and East End Hospice for their assistance and tender care.

Marty is survived by her daughter, Penelope; and son, Richard, and his wife, Alice. She is also survived by Patt Rudder; granddaughter Melissa Rudder and her son, Shaine; grandson Christian Rudder and his wife, Reshma Patel, and their daughter, Plum; granddaughter Adelaide Williams and her wife, Carlota Malit, and their children, Matias, Manu and Marcos; grandson Barnett Williams; and granddaughter Meredith Williams. To Marty’s surprise, after thinking she would never live to see any great-grandchildren, she shared the lives of five!

In lieu of a service or flowers, she would ask that you read a book, hug a child, eat a cookie, have an ice cream cone, play in the sea and embrace the beauty of nature. Give to others. Appreciate all who support you from the beginning breath to the last one of your lives. Love generously. Live on fully.

This is a paid notice.