Selma Stayman Williams

Selma Stayman Williams, renowned newspaper editor and advisor, died peacefully on September 22, 2024. She was 93.

Selma was born in Worcester, MA on August 7, 1931, the daughter of Max and Tillie Stayman. She attended Sever Prep Academy in Worcester, and Smith College in Northampton, MA. She married commercial artist Plynn Williams in 1951, enjoying 48 loving years of marriage with him until his passing.

Selma began her newspaper career in 1962 as the Topsfield string reporter for the Lawrence Eagle Tribune. She worked a few years helping her husband run Fox Run Press in Topsfield, before being hired as editor of The Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle, part of the North Shore Weeklies chain. Selma then became managing editor of the Marblehead Messenger and the Swampscott Reporter, before being promoted to editor-in-chief of the 13 newspapers of North Shore Weeklies, later called Community Newspapers. She was inducted to the New England Press Association Hall of Fame. Among many other awards, Selma won the Judith Brown Spirit of Journalism Award in 2003. Selma supported minority internships during her tenure and was chosen as a Local Hero in New England Monthly magazine. After 30 years of reporting and editing, Selma retired in 1993. She soon accepted fellowships to advise in the organization of newspaper offices in newly freed republics from the former Soviet Union, including two stints in Ukraine, one for six months, and then Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. She served for many years on the board of the North Shore Jewish Journal. Years later, she enjoyed her true retirement with Dr. Norman Avnet in Pittsfield, MA before moving to Brooksby Village in Peabody after his death.

Selma lived to the fullest each phase of her life. From the time she lived in Topsfield and forever thereafter, she enjoyed time with family and friends at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary and loved that her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren shared her love for it. Being proud of her Stayman family roots in the game of bridge, she enjoyed playing bridge throughout her life, though she admittedly was not the strongest player in her family. Beyond family, Selma’s true love was her rustic camp on Great Moose Lake in Hartland, Maine. There she enjoyed time with all of her family. The camp is a special place that brought her peace and cherished friendships on the “camp road”. Known for her witty intelligence, contagious smile and warm spirit, she will be missed.

Selma is survived by her children, Leah Peicott and her husband, Richard, of Georgetown, Daniel Williams and his wife, Mari, of Miami, FL, and David Williams and his wife, Sandra, of Moscow, Idaho. She also is survived by her grandchildren, Paul Peicott, Anna Ronan and her husband, Joseph, and her great granddaughters Elianna and Madison Ronan, all from Georgetown. She also leaves behind a plethora of friends and extended family. 

She was predeceased by her son, Peter Williams, her husband, Plynn Williams, and her grandson, Nathaniel Williams.

A Celebration of Life will be held September 28, at 11 a.m. at the Brooksby Village Chapel in Peabody, MA. Donations can be made in Selma’s name to Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary at massaudubon.org donation site. Select to make a gift in honor or memory of someone and then select Ipswich River. Donations can also be made to Care Dimensions (hospice) at giving.caredimensions.org for the wonderful care they offered to Selma and her family.