Terese Halene Wyatt Williams

1932 - 2018

"I hope you had the time of your life."
My mother did not like obituaries (unless they were "real") and made me promise I would not run one. I spent many early years doing what my mom did not want me to do so this will come as no surprise to her that I am writing this. Terese (Teri) Halene Wyatt Williams was born May 2, 1932 and left us on January 18, 2018. She was a cancer survivor, had fought and won numerous health issues over the past 10 years, and fought the good fight this time. But, it was time to rest. My mother was preceded in death by my father Robert F. Williams. They were married and divorced and married again to each other and still didn't get it quite right but she was with him until the end. I envision some arguments in the next life as to how it all went down now that she is with him again! My mother preferred the company of cats and the occasional dog over most people but she was fierce in her love of her family. My mother was an artist, musician, writer and activist. As a master level Special Education teacher in the 60's, my mother fought for, and won, English as a Second Language classes in the Phoenix School District to stop immigrant children from being classified as Special Ed when it was a matter of a language barrier. After she attended a Cesar Chavez rally in Arizona in the 60's, we did not eat grapes or lettuce for over two years afterwards. She was of the "Beat Generation" and heard Bob Dylan when he was young and doing "Spoken Word" in Berkley and her favorite songs were: "Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog", anything by the Beatles and her crush that she carried up to her death was David Bowie. In the early 80's as you came up our street in Provo, it was not uncommon to hear the stereo blasting Abba or Bowie or the Beatles. She was Catholic by choice, although she did not agree with them on all things. She did believe in God, however. She also loved all things Irish, and "The Kerry Dance" was her favorite Gaelic song.
To Ryan Williams (Suzanne LaChasse) her first grandchild: She loved you fiercely as only Mom could do. You have memories and life experiences of world travel, African Safaris, seeing the Berlin Wall come down, almost falling in a well in Ireland trying to kiss the Blarney Stone, and many adventures all over Europe that only she could have given you. She was always your biggest fan. You are who you are because of her. And remember: "Have fun with it!" Suzanne, she thought you were crazy marrying Ryan but was so happy you did and loved you like a daughter.
Alicia Ashment and Diane Thomas: Mom loved you both unconditionally. Alicia, you were her first granddaughter and she took your life partner Diane as the same. You both brought laughter, arguments, joy and life into her house the past 14 years. She never saw either of you as more than about age 14 and when I had to remind her how old you really were, her answer was always "Well! That's ridiculous!" The loving care you provided to her the past 5+ years during her struggles can never be repaid. The family is forever in your debt. You both will always be "that child".
To Brandon Williams (Sandra Vang): Brandon, she rescued you when you needed it most and taught you how to be gentler and kinder which led you ultimately to Sandra, her newest granddaughter she loved. She was thrilled you two are married! As her next oldest Grandson her heart ached for you during your young life experiences and she felt very protective of you always. You inherited her big heart, that is your legacy so guard it well.
Meghan Williams (Gabe Best): Remember the whispers in your ear "It's out there waiting for you Meggie, go and get it!" You were her throwback, her Flower Child granddaughter, and she admired your adventurous spirit and looked forward to seeing what part of the world you landed in next. She loved that you loved Owls, and she loved you with all her heart.
Jacob Williams: As the youngest grandchild, Grandma thought you were a good writer with the potential to be great. She was saddened about your early life experiences and thought you should "write what you know", and she enjoyed the way your mind worked. She also believed that if you returned to school you could "knock it out of the ball park!". Remember all the times sitting quietly and listening to her stories and how that felt. You can carry that with you always. That love, connection, compassion and quietness.
Caitlin Williams (Jeremy DeSpain): Mom loved you and worried about you always. You were always, and will always be, her daughter. Nothing can or has ever changed that. She wished you peace and happiness and hoped you'd find both soon.
Thanks to DNA testing (because she was adopted), my mother, although saying she didn't care, found out who her birth parents were (Elma Marie Smith and Lige Goulding) and, even though it was in the hospital under awful circumstances, actually met her brother Jeff Klingler (Mary) and her cousin Sheron Drake (Ken) and got to know about her older sister Venice Gossard, Billie Burkholder and her deceased brother John Klingler. My mother found it hilarious that she is apparently related to every Smith and Goulding in Henrieville Utah, a place she had never heard of until recently! She was starting to come around to visiting more when she left.
As for me. I am your oldest daughter (Seanna) and we had our ups and downs, ins and outs, but as you recently said to me one day, "Did you ever think we would be this close to each other? Life is funny that way!". You took over in my life when I could not in the past, and I am honored and grateful I could take over in your life when you could not. Thank you for taking my life partner Kim Carey and our son Sullivan Williams-Carey into your life and into your heart. They never felt a moment of alienation or judgement from you.
I hope this obituary was "real" enough for you Mom! We will all love you always.