Obituary for Mary Anne Williams (Barker)
Mary Anne (Barker) Williams, 88, of Simsbury, CT, beloved wife of the late William Montgomery Williams, died Friday, July 15, 2022, at McLean Home in Simsbury. She was born February 26, 1934, in Charlotte, NC, the daughter of the late Wyss and Kathleen (Mahood) Barker. She is survived by her son, William Lee Williams II and his wife Julie of Oklahoma City, OK; her daughter, Molly Paine and her husband Russell of Simsbury, CT; four grandchildren, Julie Paine-Miller, Jeffrey Paine, Carl Williams, Paul Williams; her sisters-in-law, Laura Dixon and Kay Williams and six nieces and nephews. Mary Anne is predeceased by her younger sister Francis Barker Sincox and her brothers-in-law, Richard “Dick” Dixon and James Williams.
Mary Anne graduated from Duke University, Class of 1955, receiving her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. During college, Mary Ann met the love of her life, a young ROTC student named Bill Williams. Having promised her parents that she would go on to finish her schooling, Wyss and Kathleen gave their blessings, and the couple wed in December of 1954. After graduation, Mary Ann joined her husband Bill at several different Air Force bases and taught second grade for a time before starting her family. Ultimately, they settled in Connecticut, and Simsbury became their permanent home in 1968.
Mary Anne devoted herself to her family, creating a warm and inviting home full of love and gentle guidance for her children. With a frugal nature and creative talent, she refinished numerous junk shop finds into pleasing and functional furnishings for the house. With a keen hand for sewing, she produced much of her family’s wardrobe. Mary Ann both excelled and relished her traditional role as a homemaker. Her children are forever grateful for the childhood she provided for them.
When her children were nearly grown, she rejoined the workforce, starting as a sales agent for Liberty Realty. She next directed her organizing abilities to the position of Office Manager, first at Electrical Supplies Inc. in Hartford and then at her son-in-law’s family business, Paine’s Recycling & Rubbish Removal.
After retirement, Mary Anne pursued an avid interest in genealogy. She and Bill visited numerous courthouses and churches to examine historical records, ultimately collating an extensive collection of information on the Barker and Williams family ancestries. Her interest in history came into play again as a volunteer at the Simsbury Historical Society, where she was a knowledgeable and engaging tour guide.
Mary Anne will always be remembered as a gracious southern lady and a real “class act”, by all who knew her. She was caring, considerate and totally unselfish with a kind soul that shined forth from a bright and engaging smile. She will be terribly missed.
There will be a service held graveside for Mary Anne at 10:00am on Saturday, July 30th at the Simsbury Cemetery, 16 Plank Hill Road in Simsbury. Friends and family will gather afterwards for a celebration of her life at the home of her daughter, Molly. The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury is caring for the arrangements. Please visit Mary Anne’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Mary Anne graduated from Duke University, Class of 1955, receiving her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. During college, Mary Ann met the love of her life, a young ROTC student named Bill Williams. Having promised her parents that she would go on to finish her schooling, Wyss and Kathleen gave their blessings, and the couple wed in December of 1954. After graduation, Mary Ann joined her husband Bill at several different Air Force bases and taught second grade for a time before starting her family. Ultimately, they settled in Connecticut, and Simsbury became their permanent home in 1968.
Mary Anne devoted herself to her family, creating a warm and inviting home full of love and gentle guidance for her children. With a frugal nature and creative talent, she refinished numerous junk shop finds into pleasing and functional furnishings for the house. With a keen hand for sewing, she produced much of her family’s wardrobe. Mary Ann both excelled and relished her traditional role as a homemaker. Her children are forever grateful for the childhood she provided for them.
When her children were nearly grown, she rejoined the workforce, starting as a sales agent for Liberty Realty. She next directed her organizing abilities to the position of Office Manager, first at Electrical Supplies Inc. in Hartford and then at her son-in-law’s family business, Paine’s Recycling & Rubbish Removal.
After retirement, Mary Anne pursued an avid interest in genealogy. She and Bill visited numerous courthouses and churches to examine historical records, ultimately collating an extensive collection of information on the Barker and Williams family ancestries. Her interest in history came into play again as a volunteer at the Simsbury Historical Society, where she was a knowledgeable and engaging tour guide.
Mary Anne will always be remembered as a gracious southern lady and a real “class act”, by all who knew her. She was caring, considerate and totally unselfish with a kind soul that shined forth from a bright and engaging smile. She will be terribly missed.
There will be a service held graveside for Mary Anne at 10:00am on Saturday, July 30th at the Simsbury Cemetery, 16 Plank Hill Road in Simsbury. Friends and family will gather afterwards for a celebration of her life at the home of her daughter, Molly. The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury is caring for the arrangements. Please visit Mary Anne’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com