Adelaide B. Williams

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 Adelaides life celebration on Wednesday, November 5th at Duvall Chapel at New England Deaconess Assoc. Rev. Lilian Warner, Director of Spiritual Life officiated. Interment was in the family lot at Gethsemane Cemetery, West Roxbury. Gifts in her memory may be made to the N. E. Deaconess Assoc. for the Spiritual Life Fund, 80 Deaconess Rd., Concord or the Preachers Aid Society of the N.E. Annual Conference, 51 Charles Wesley Court, Wells, ME 040390. Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, CFSP, CONCORD FUNERAL HOME, A Life Celebration Home. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit: www.concordfuneral.com.