Kathleen D. McWilliams

Tallahassee - McWilliams, Kathleen D. passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020. Born in East Orange, NJ on August 3rd, 1934. Kathleen grew up in Glen Ridge, NJ, and moved to Princeton, NJ in 1944. She graduated from Princeton High School, earned a BA in Interior Design from Syracuse University, and years later earned a BA from Florida State University in Regional and Urban Planning.

After returning to Princeton, she met Ralph, the love of her life and the two were married on May 23rd, 1959. After the wedding, the couple moved to Tallahassee, FL, for Ralph's job as a mathematics professor at FSU.

In 1962 the couple welcomed Linda to the family and two years later Martha joined the family. Kathy started her volunteer work surrounding her children, first at the First Baptist Church nursery. But Kathy's passion was scouting. She was the leader of her girls' troops from Brownies through Cadets. She continued after her girls were grown with a new group of girls. When the girls had boys, Kathy volunteered at their elementary schools and when no one else stepped up, she became the Den Leader for two of her grandson's Cub Scouts.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph D. McWilliams. She is survived by her daughters, Linda (Dan) McWilliams and Martha (Sam MacDonell) McWilliams; brother, Kenneth (Margie) Dodge; grandchildren, Kyle (Liza) and Trevor Rogers, Jonathan Mortensen, Trey, Kenneth, Suzanne, and Melissa MacDonell, Kaitlyn, and Chase, 3 great-grandsons and a nephew Donald (Lorraine) Dodge.

A memorial service will be held at East Hill Baptist Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made payable to Tallahassee Fellowship, 6734 Layton Ct., Tallahassee, FL 32317, Big Bend Hospice, or any environmental organization.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tallahassee Democrat from Dec. 23, 2020 to Jan. 1, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen McWilliams

Sponsored by Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home Riggins Road.

5 Entries

Philip L Bowers

January 5, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Ralph, Kathy's husband, was chair of the FSU math department in 1984 when I arrived. I have fond memories of the McWilliams family. Linda and Martha, so sorry about this.

Gail Schaper

January 1, 2021

She was a wonderful person and you would always find her at scouting events !
We did several scout trainings together ! She will be missed !

Tobey Tam

December 28, 2020

Linda and Martha, I'm sorry for your loss. Your mom, Mrs. McWilliams was my girl scout troop leader when I was in elementary school attending First Baptist Church. I always knew she was volunteering to be a troop leader out of the kindness of her heart. She had a lot of patience and she really wanted to teach us girls about nature and how we could do things for ourselves. I became a girl scout troop leader seven years ago and am still a leader for both my girls' troops. I sometimes think about Mrs. McWilliams when I get frustrated with my troops or when I'm taking the girls on a hike outside. Mrs. McWilliams helped me understand what volunteering is about, as well as the importance of teaching future generations. Through that, she has touched many lives for the better. Here’s an old picture of me and Mrs. McWilliams during one of our girl scout ceremonies.

Jan Dughi RuBino

December 27, 2020

Linda and Martha, I knew your mom because Martha and my daughter, Leslie Dughi, were in the same class at the FSU University School, and Leslie was in your mom's Brownie and Girl Scout troops. I remember her as a kind, good-natured woman, and a very good Scout leader. I volunteered with the troop from time to time when I was not working and the girls always seemed to have such a good time with her. Your mother and father were wonderful, loving parents, and the girls in your mom's troops were fortunate to have her as a leader. I send you my condolences on her passing. She is not forgotten.

Pamela Wood

December 27, 2020

I have so many fond memories of my time with your Mother leading my girl Scout troop she always had a smile and a good word for anybody that would want to listen! May your family find strength in the love that surrounds them! And comfort knowing your mother touched a lot of lives

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