Carole Williams

Carole Ann (Major) Williams, born on November 6th 1950 to William and Valentyna Major, has peacefully left Earth and soared up to the studio in the sky on February 23nd, 2025.

Carole was raised in Sylvania with her 6 siblings and graduated from Sylvania High School in 1968. She studied Art at the University of Toledo then earned a degree from Owens Community College in C.A.D. Engineering in 1988.

Her innovative edge made her a vital asset to multiple engineering firms from her graduation to her retirement. She was also a celebrated artist in the Greater Toledo area, her work being featured in many galleries and art shows. Her natural talent poured through countless canvasses, murals, and especially her signature slate paintings. She loved collaborating with other artists, especially her friends at the Ottawa Street Studios. To share her love for art with everyone, she often taught classes in studios and her home.

Carole had a green thumb and her gardens were her largest canvas. She felt most at peace when she was in nature and would spend endless hours, night and day, creating a masterpiece in her yard. Those invited in would find her garden nothing short of paradise and were usually sent home with a piece of it.

She had a passion for fishing, one of her favorite pastimes with her dad, was an outstanding pool player, and especially loved "junkin''; reviving old treasures with a coat of paint or finding the perfect place in her yard was one of her many gifts.

She was a pancreatic cancer survivor of nearly 8 years and had immense gratitude for Dr. Simo and loved her staff, and parties, dearly. With her Parkinson's Disease diagnosis she fought back and made special friendships with those in the community.

Her pride and joy were her daughters and guided them tirelessly sharing her love of art with them, and it has shone through in both their careers and hobbies. Fond memories were made as young children as they watched her paint in their home studio while the music of Melanie Safka played in the background. The brightest light in her life were her grandchildren. They will forever cherish the countless memories with their Nama such as digging up buried treasures in her yard, building tornado shelters in the basement and making alien blood that kept little hands stained for days.

She knew no strangers and saw opportunity for friendship in everyone who crossed her path. She nurtured a special relationship with each of her siblings and all family members and friends. She will be sorely missed by all.

Carole is survived by her daughters, Tonia Williams and Angela Zaborowski (Chris Smith); her grandchildren, Draven, Ethan, Gabriel, Forest, Rama and Aurora; her siblings, Ralph, Susan, Bradley and Michelle; many nieces and nephews and a plethora of friends. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers David and Karl; and three nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday June 22 2025 at The Lodge at Strawberry Acres Park, (950 S. McCord Rd, Holland OH) 1:00-4:00 when the Earth is in bloom. To honor her, create beauty in the world as she did in her gardens and canvases. Monetary donations can be made in her memory to The Parkinson's Foundation.