Gladys Williams

GLADYS LINNEA WILLIAMS, 84 ROCKFORD - Gladys Linnea Williams, 84, of Rockford died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, at her home in Christian Life Retirement Center, after a two year battle with ovarian cancer. Born March 13, 1928, in Rockford, the daughter of Paul and Sophia (Johnson) Anderson. She was a graduate of East High School. Gladys married Grant Williams on Aug. 7, 1948, in Rockford, he predeceased her in 1977. Gladys worked at Sundstrand Corp., as a clerical secretary and retired in 1988. She was a longtime member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and worked on the Alter Guild and was a member of Ladies Aid. Gladys enjoyed volunteering for Northern Illinois Hospice for more than 15 years, where she developed many lasting friendships. Survived by daughter, Susan Cooling of Rockford; son, David Williams of Forreston; brother, Roy Anderson of Boston; grandchildren, David (Audrey) Cooling of Washington, D.C., Sarah Cooling of Rockford, Laura Cooling of Chicago, and Marie Polkowski of Rockford; great-granddaughter, Agnes Cooling of Washington, D.C.; and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased also by her parents; sister, Edith Huff; and brother, Walter Anderson. A special thank you to all Gladys's friends at Northern Illinois Hospice, Christian Life Retirement Center, Redeemer Lutheran Church, and her caregivers. Service at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 827 16th St., Rockford, with the Rev. Robert Rub officiating. Burial in Arlington Memorial Park. Visitation from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, at Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave., Rockford. Memorials to Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center, 4215 Newburg Road, Rockford, IL 61108. To share a memory or online condolence, visit olsonfh.com.