Tribute & Message From The Family
Loving Wife, Mother and Grandmother
Adelaide B. (Neal) Williams age 88 of Concord formerly of Brookline and Rockport passed away on Saturday, November 1st at Emerson Hospital. She was the wife of Rev. Donald A. Williams.
Adelaide and her twin brother, Arthur, were born on January 15, 1926 in Rockport, Massachusetts to Ernest Samuel and Martha Neal. Adelaide got a Methodist related scholarship to attend Boston University. She earned a B.S. degree in Physical Education from B.U.'s Sargent College in 1947. During college she became the first American Red Cross water safety instructor at Front Beach, Rockport. She taught relatives and town folk how to swim in the icy waters of Rockport.
She taught physical education, health, fifth grade at Boston University, Leominster, Brookline, and Hyde Park High School. During Boston's tumultuous desegregation she was honored for her welcoming kindness by her African-American students with flowers on Mother's Day.
From her teenage years, she was active in The United Methodist Church. She was a teacher, Girl Scout leader, church camp counselor, and officer in The United Methodist Women. As a minister's wife she invited many parishioners to Sunday dinners. Don and Adelaide provided beautiful dinners in their home for newcomers, theology students, organists, Bishops, seminary students, and many international people.
Along with her husband Rev. Donald Williams of Concord MA, survivors include three daughters, Christine Williams of Chevy Chase MD, Rev. Roberta Williams of East Hartford CT, Faith Williams, Esq. of Dublin, Ohio, a son, Dennis Williams of Foxboro, MA and two grandchildren, Katelyn Williams, of Encinidas CA and Craig Williams, Beacon Hill, Boston MA. Her sister, Nancy Blackstone of Wakefield, and her brothers, Arthur and Charles Samuel of Rockport MA.
Family and friends gathered for Adelaide's life celebration on Wed., Nov. 5 at 2:00 pm in the Duvall Chapel at N.E. Deaconess Assoc., 80 Deaconess Rd., Concord. Interment was private in Gethsemane Cemetery, West Roxbury.
Gifts in her memory may be made to:
New England Deaconess Assoc.
80 Deaconess Road
Concord, MA 01742
c/o Spiritual Life Fun
www.nedeaconess.org
Preachers Aid Society of the N.E. Annual Conference
51 Charles Wesley Court
Wells, ME 04090.
www.preachersaid.org
Condolence & Memory Journal
To the family no heart breaks alone for God is near and when a prayer is whispered he's comfort tenderly.
Posted by
Rosa - OH November 25, 2014
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Posted by
Linder Herbert - Penscola, FL November 15, 2014
I was saddened to read Ad's obituary in the Concord Journal. My parents have been friends with the Williams since the 1960s when Don and my Dad worked to unite their respective churches. Ad and Don often visited my parents when they lived in Maine. On several occasions I accompanied my parents to visit the Williams in Concord where we enjoyed reminiscing about our Brookline days and caught up on family news. Ad was a gracious, kind, classy lady. On behalf of my father, who passed away in 2007, and my mother, I extend my condolences to Don and his family.
Posted by
Sandy (Van Hoek) Dolins - Carlisle, MA - Friend November 08, 2014
Roberta, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Guy and I and Louise send you and your family our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Polly, Guy & Louise
Posted by
Pauline Bothfeld - East Hartford, CT - member of Vernon UMC November 06, 2014
Typing with one hand (broken elbow) so please forgive lack of written message----admired and respected Adelaide---we were contemporaries in the "role of a minister's wife"---she was a gem! Love to you all, June Johnson
Posted by
june johnson - bloomfield, CT November 06, 2014
Roberta, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I didn't know her, but she sounds like a beautiful person and heaven just received in another angel. Please know, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort. Blessings Karla Ebrahimzadeh (VUMC)
Posted by
Karla Ebrahimzadeh - Manchester, CT - Member of VUMC (Roberta's) November 05, 2014
Aunt Ad will so be missed. We love her so much. She was like a second Mother to me as her sister Nancy (my mother) was like a second Mother to Roberta and Chris. Beautiful service today.
Posted by
Carol Margeson - Reading, MA November 05, 2014
Dear Roberta,
We are very sorry for your loss. As best we try we are never prepared for this final moment when it happens. You already know, your mom is now enjoying her rewards with our Lord pain free and you will all meet again. You are all in our prayers.
Posted by
The Runcies - East Hartford, CT November 05, 2014
Dear Roberta,
We are very sorry for your loss. As best we try, we are never prepared for this final moment when it happens. You already know, your mom is now enjoying her rewards with our Lord pain free and you will all meet again. You are all in our prayers.
Posted by
The Runcies - East Hartford, CT November 05, 2014
I have so many wonderful memories of Aunt Ad; I love you and will miss you very much. I feel so fortunate to have seen herm her siblings, Uncle Don and my cousin's together last month at Aunt Nancy's birthday celebration. Thank you Aunt Ad for always having a funny story and for sharing your kindness and laughter with us over the years, I will always remember your laugh. Thank you also for putting up with an extra teenager during one of your many cross country RV trips; I still have many fond and not-so-fond (re:turkey loaf every day) memories of that trip, that will stay with me forever. Uncle Don, Chris, Dennis, Roberta and Faith, my love to all of you. Love, Linda Neal Hurley & family
Posted by
Linda Neal Hurley - Danville, NH - Niece November 04, 2014
Dear Uncle Don and cousins, Katelyn and Craig,
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time. So many memories if times together on the farm/"farm", a camping trip to Colorado, our road trips to your East Coast. And always Aunt Ad with her encouraging words and smile. I'm sure she helped to build so many more young people's self-esteem thsn mine, but I'll akways remember her for making me feel important by her questions and encouragement.How blessed each of you are to have her as part of you throughout her lifetime and beyond. May God draw you close to His side, as you celebrate and miss all she was to you.
Nance and Gus and family
Posted by
Nancy - Rolfe, IA - niece November 04, 2014
I'm saddened to hear of your mother's death. I'm in Connecticut visiting my mom this week. We both send our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by
Kathryn Johnson - Washington, DC - Friend of Roberta's November 04, 2014
Uncle Don and Family, We send our thoughts and prayers to you all!!
Posted by
Brian Williams - Ankeny, IA - family November 04, 2014
Charlie and I are so sorry to hear of your mother's death, Chris. I know you will miss her very much. She is and will always be a part of you. Those who know you will continue to benefit from her and your father's lives and loving guidance.
Posted by
Cathy Carr - Silver Spring, MD - Friend of Christine's November 04, 2014
There have been so many wonderful stories of Adelaide over the years. She was a woman of substance, a champion of women being independent and intelligent. She fostered wonderful values and determination in her children. Her wonderful smile gave people insight into her beautiful heart and spirit. She carried that spirit into retirement, as she and her husband traveled the country in their RV, finding friends and spreading faith and fellowship wherever they traveled. It was a life well lived.
Posted by
Susie and Jim - Washington, DC - Friend November 04, 2014
Our deepest love and sympathy to the family.
From Pastor Alecia & the family
at First Church of Winthrop UM, Winthrop, MA
Posted by
Alecia Reeves-Freemn - Winthrop, MA November 03, 2014
Dear Faith,
I have such fond memories of the many United Parish youth group activities held at your home, during our years (71-75?). Your mom was such a wonderful hostess to a house full of teenagers.
Prayers for Peace for you and your family during this time. Moms are so very special.
God Bless,
Ida Doetsch
Posted by
A friend November 03, 2014