Margaret “Jean” Williams
Margaret “Jean” Williams (née Hall) passed away peacefully at Seaforth Long Term Care on Friday, Dec. 22 in her 92nd year. Jean was predeceased by her beloved husband, John “Grant” Williams in 2014.
Jean was the loving mother of Mary and Frank Stretton of Brussels, Edgar and Angie Williams of Acton and Les and Brenda Williams of Acton.
Jean was the adored Nanny of 10 grandchildren: Margaret and Dave Speer, Grant and Cindy Jarvis, Lesley Stretton, Brendan Stretton and Steph Morgan, Harmony Williams, Meghann and Ryan Samson, Spencer Williams, Garrett and Lindsey Williams, Justine and Jeff Waines and Ryan and Ali Williams.
Jean was the very proud Nanny of nine great-grandchildren: Ben Speer, James Speer, Violet Williams, Grace Samson, Grant Williams, Libby Williams, Cole Waines, Gavin Waines, Blake Williams and Ella Williams.
Jean is also survived by Grant’s siblings, Gordon and Shirley Williams, Mary-Lou Grenier, brother-in-law Al Walker and many nieces and nephews.
Jean is predeceased by a son in infancy, her parents Edgar and Grace Hall, brother Ted Hall, a brother in infancy, brother-in-law George Williams and sisters-in-law Kathleen Walker, Loretta Williams and Audrey Hall.
Margaret Jean Hall was born in Mimico, Ontario on March 20, 1932. She was raised in the Long Branch area. Jean was a hard worker and always had a job, starting at the young age of 12.
At the age of 18 she would meet her future husband of 62 years. Jean and John Grant Williams married, Sept. 1, 1951. After Grant left the Toronto Police Force, they raised their three children - Mary, Edgar and Les - on a dairy farm in Hornby, Ontario.
They would make their way to Brussels to continue their love of farming. After farming dairy operations in Wingham and Riversdale, Jean and Grant would make their way back to Acton where Jean was the manager of family services with the Acton Salvation Army. Upon a well-deserved retirement, Grant and Jean decided to spend their golden years in Brussels.
There were three things that brought Jean happiness and peace: family, friends, and faith. Jean was the ultimate hockey mom, following Edgar and Les in their hockey careers around the province. She loved hockey and was never afraid to voice her opinion loudly from the stands.
Jean was a devoted grandmother, spoiling her 10 grandchildren with all their favourites: princess tarts, scones, lemon squares, shepherd’s pie and the best mashed potatoes ever. She was a great cook. It wasn’t fancy, but it was good.
Jean and Grant would never hesitate to hop in the van and travel for hours to support their children and grandchildren in all their various interests. To say Jean was proud of her family is an understatement.
Jean and Grant devoted their lives to helping others and would open their home to dozens of foster children over more than 30 years.
Jean was a devout Christian. She loved to sing and spread the good word through song. Jean and Grant would often host fellowship socials with their church friends. There were plenty of guitars, food, and the sound of hymns being sung could be heard for hours.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations please be made to The Salvation Army, Wingham Core or Acton Corps or The Seaforth Long Term Care Residents Fund.
Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca