Obituary of Jeanne Ivy Williams
Jeanne slipped away in her 99th year on May 12th 2024 in the early hours of the morning, on Mother’s Day. Her daughters Jan Forsythe and Linda Williams were at her side.
Jeanne Ivy Williams (nee Bradley) was born July 17th, 1925 in Reading England; her parents were Ivy and Stanley. At the age of 14 she started her training as a stenographer and soon after had to earn her keep in a writing pool, although in her heart of hearts she would have loved to be an engineer. In England, she met her future husband Peter Williams (deceased December 9, 2002), a member of the RCAF. After the war they married in Reading in May 1946. Soon after, she sailed alone as a war bride from Liverpool to Montreal on her Canadian adventure.
Her first child was born in Vancouver, Christine (who passed away in March 2022). Their many postings took them right across the country: from Edmonton (where Linda was born) to Ottawa, Gimli, Summerside (Jan’s place of birth), Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Ottawa, again and then across the Atlantic to London and then to Lahr in Germany, where her husband retired from the Canadian Airforce. After a year in Reading, England the family lived in Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie, Peterchurch, England, Canmore, Alberta and settled finally in Fallbrook.
During her busy married life bringing up 3 girls and always on the move, Jeanne thoroughly enjoyed being employed as a highly qualified personal assistant. She worked in Ottawa for the British High Commission and for an engineering firm and for the Algoma Railway in Sault Ste. Marie. She was bright, efficient, successful, well-organized, respected and blessed with an amazing sense of humour. In essence, Jeanne was a strong but supple woman who surmounted all challenges because of her optimism and pure joy of life. She fed her soul passionately with music, with the beauty and wonder of nature and with her deep love of her children and grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by her wonderful grandchildren: Patrick, Oren, Bertrand, Anna, Elaina and Adrian, her seven great-grandchildren: Bishop, Breah, Michael, Lydia, Maddyanne, Lyra and Alexander, and by her very dear son-in-law Rick Forsythe.
Jeanne’s daughters and their families convey their heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at Lanark Lodge for their loving care and kindness during Jeanne’s eight years as a resident.
To share memories and celebrate Jeanne’s life a small gathering will be held for family and close friends. In remembrance, any contributions to Lanark Lodge would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements are in the care of Blair & Son Funeral Directors, Perth.
