IN MEMORIAM: Judy Williams, 87; Reporter,
Photographer Follower Of Elizabeth Ann Seton
ONEONTA – Juvenile (Judy) Williams, 87, a devout follower of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and former newspaper photographer and reporter, died on Sept. 20, 2014.
Judy was orphaned at an early age along with her seven brothers and sisters in rural Philippines. World War II came to her homeland, but with it came American Army soldier Neal Williams Sr.
The couple married and moved to New Lisbon, where they raised two sons. Judy and Neal were together 57 years until his death in 2004.
Judy worked many years as a photographer/reporter for The Daily Star.
She was a tireless volunteer for Holy Cross Church of Morris and, later, St. Mary’s Parish of Oneonta. Her biggest loves were her Catholic faith and singing in the church choir. She made many pilgrimages to the Holy Land, as recently as 2004 with her grandson, Brandon.
In 1991, Judy penned a self-published autobiography of her life’s struggles and how she was influenced by the works of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. In September 1975, she traveled to the Vatican to witness the Canonization of Saint Seton, the first American Saint.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters and her husband Neal Sr.
She is survived by two sons, Jamie Williams (Shirley) of Allentown, Pa., and Neal Williams Jr. (Julianne) of Tucson; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Calling hours will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
The funeral mass will be at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Church, with Father Scott VanDerveer officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton at http://www.setonheritage.org
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
