LORRAINE MARY WILLIAMS

LORRAINE MARY WILLIAMS (nee O'DONNELL) December 8, 1932 - July 4, 2014 On July 4, 2014, Lorraine passed away peacefully in the palliative care unit of Markham Stouffville Hospital in Markham with family at her side. Beloved wife of John Reesor Williams for 57 years. Loving mother and grandmother to her five children and four grandchildren, Theresa, Megan (grandsons, Zachary and Samuel), Harland, Maureen (husband, Stan) and Barbara (granddaughters, Scarlet and Margaux). Dearly beloved by her sister, Suzanne Hearn (children, Kathy, Mary Pat, Christopher, Michael, Kevin and Sean) and her brother, Neil O'Donnell (wife, Cynthia and children, Sarah, Sanford and Susan). Loving sister- in-law to Bill and Jean Williams and Tom and Mary Williams (children, Cyndy and Tom). Lorraine lived her faith-filled life to the fullest in her thoughts, words and deeds. Her unbounded love of her family was but a reflection of her deep respect for the dignity and sanctity of all human life; which she constantly displayed in her love of and caring for people in a very personal way and as a professional social worker (MSW). Professionally, Lorraine was a senior social worker in the correctional, forensic psychiatry fields and psychiatric field of social work. Latterly, her career transitioned into a private psychotherapy and marriage counselling practice in Toronto. Lorraine was passionate in her service to people through her volunteer work, including a Board Member on the Visiting Homemakers Association, Chair of the Social Action Committee of the YWCA of Metro Toronto, Executive Secretary of the Indian-Eskimo Association of Canada, Board Member of the Marguerite Bourgeoys Family Centre (now known as FertilityCare Toronto), founding Board Member of the Human Life Research Institute (now known as the deVeber Institute for Research into Ethical and Social Issues), Past Chair of the North York Public Library Board, former Member of the Metro Toronto Reference Library Board of Trustees, Past President of both the Ontario and the Canadian Library Trustees Associations, member of the Founding Committee for St. Timothy's Willowdale Parish and Parish Council, President of St. Timothy's Catholic Women's League (CWL), President of the North York Regional CWL and an active leader in Discovery Theatre, a forum for adult inquiry. Through her love of reading and writing, Lorraine became an active author and journalist. She was a member of The Writers Union of Canada, the Society of American Travel Writers, The Word Guild and the Catholic Press Association. She was a former contributing editor to The Catholic Register and former editor of the pro-life magazine, "The Uncertified Human". Her authorship was a work in progress, having previously authored two books about the relationship between Library Trustees and Library CEOs, as well as publication of the Ontario Library Trustees Handbook. Her last completed book was "Memories of the Beach: Reflections on a Toronto Childhood", published by Dundurn Press. Lorraine is at rest at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home, 8911 Woodbine Avenue (north of Highway 7), in Markham. Visitation hours are from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, July 8th and 9th. Funeral Mass will take place at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 5633 Highway 7 (east of McCowan Road), on Thursday, July 10th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, as a legacy to Lorraine, donations may be made to "Operations Smile Canada" c/o P.O. Box 235 Stn Main, Markham, ON L3P 9Z9, a registered charity dedicated to restorative surgery for poor children in impoverished countries born with deformative cleft lips or palates.