Gail R. "Rice" Williamson

Gail Kathleen (Rice) Williamson, of Oley, PA, had a massive stroke at home, and died before dawn September 17th, after a brief stay at Penn State Health - St. Joseph in Bern Township, PA.

A works of righteousness Christian, she was deeply eager to return to the Lord. "Windy Kate" to her beloved parents, Clark and Carla (Eggert) Rice, she was born in Broomall, August 4, 1939. Gail was a three-sport athlete for Marple-Newtown high school and a Mariner Scout along with her dear sisters, Carla Ann and Linda. With the deaths of sisters, she became the reluctant but frequently sought-out matriarch of the Rice family.

A 1961 graduate of Ursinus College with a degree in Physical Education, she was a member of their lacrosse team, a sister in the Tau Sigma Gamma sorority, and met her dedicated and 'un-deserving' husband, Barrie A. Williamson, who could often be heard shouting "Dammit Gail!" They married in August of 1962 and she followed him along the east coast supporting his career in minor league baseball.

A "Dime a dozen" phys-ed teacher for Lansdown High School, she started their lacrosse program and mentored countless young women in leadership, health and lady-like deportment. She recently recalled having to change back and forth from her gym clothes to her professional dress and heels depending on which class she was teaching that period … but "no running in the halls!"

More than anything, Gail wanted to be a wife and mother, and she took her role as home-maker

seriously. The "Dragon Lady" was so proud of her sons: Carl Barrie (partner Heather McFadden), Corey Steven (Cindy Deren), Joby Galen (Jennifer Hendricks), Joshua Blaine (Kelly Cawley). Her daughters-in-law eventually gave her the best 12 grandchildren ever. As one friend recalled, "Gail loved her family, but she REALLY loved her grandchildren. "Gaba" spoiled, and doted on, CPT Joshua Rice, Thalia Elaine (Ryan Krall), Sebastian 'Gray' (fiancé Sakira Fussner), Clark Warren, Nash Deren (partner Taylor Renninger), Galen Asher, Jessica Kathleen (partner Rob Seyfried), Lindsey Virginia (partner Adam Archambault), Josey Wayne, Tetje Kate, Luke Barrie, and Stella Angeline. Gail cherished hosting weekly Sunday night dinners with her family crowded around two tables consuming vast amounts of milk,

chicken, and bow-tie noodles all while hoping that she had made a chocolate banana cake or pecan pie for dessert.

Past-president of the Women's Club of Oley and founder of the Olivia Barres Scholarship for Oley Valley students pursuing medically-related careers, Gail dedicated hours in service to causes and charities, especially those for children or veterans. (In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory to St Jude's Hospital, Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the Animal Rescue League of Berks County.)

Employed by the BCIU as a substitute teacher and a counselor with the Students to Employment Program STEP, she influenced (and subdued) many young people with her boundless energy and straight-talking approach. A force of nature, Gail could lift up the most despondent and cut down the arrogant. She was a good, good, friend, and had a long and unforgiving memory. She loved talking and was known to carry on 15-to-20-minute phone conversations with wrong-numbers … on multiple occasions. She was incredibly interested in connections between people and could give detailed descriptions of family trees within the Oley Valley, of which she remained an "outsider" hoping to finally achieve insider status 'once my boys marry their daughters.'

Gail and Barrie had an excellent summer on the back porch, reconnecting in their devotion to each other and their many blessings. Gail had to go first in order to make Barrie's case at the heavenly gates. She was always advocating for those she loved.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 27th at 11 a.m. at Friedens UCC, 337 Main St., Oley. A visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Oley is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com.