JEANENNE E. WILLIAMS

JEANENNE E. WILLIAMS Jeanenne E. Williams went to be with her Savior on November 23, 2015. She was born Jeanenne Fitzgerald in Underwood, ND on July 13, 1931. Her family moved to Whidbey Island where she graduated in a class of six students from Coupeville High School. She then moved to Seattle and attended Northwest Business College for two years. While teaching dance lessons in Seattle, she met the love of her life, Roy Williams. Roy was planning to attend a work Christmas party and wanted to learn how to dance so he could dance with his boss's wife. They were married on October 24, 1953. For their honeymoon they flew to Flint, Michigan to buy a new car. They made their first home in Fairbanks, Alaska. Over the years, they lived in Seattle, Montana, the Methow Valley, British Columbia, and finally settled in Benton City in 1975. While moving around, their family grew to include one daughter and five sons. While taking care of her husband and raising six kids, Jeanenne worked full time outside of the home in the insurance and banking industry. She worked for Lincoln Savings, The Bank of Montreal, and Washington Mutual before she retired as a loan officer. After her "retirement," she worked at Ranch and Home for nine years. According to the dictionary, a matriarch is a "mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants." Jeanenne was the epitome of that definition. She raised six successful children and has played an instrumental role in the raising of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She taught the values of hard work, dedication, sacrifice and the importance of family. Her physical presence will be missed, but we are comforted knowing that she is at peace with Jesus in a body with no more pain. Jeanenne is survived by her husband of 62 years, Roy; daughter Colleen (Nick); sons Matt (Kim), Jay (Susan), Con (Sharon), Jack (Stephanie), Don (Christy); grandchildren Keri (John), Jessi (Grady), Dan (Britany), Sarai, Jackie, Kay, Breanna, Ethan, Heather, Clay (Alana), Seamus, Shelby, Shawn, Andrew, Pierce; great-grandchildren Charlene, Abi, Cash, Vivienne Fiona; sister Irene Wright; nieces Teresa, Peggy, Judy (Lloyd); sister-in-law Jean, and numerous extended family members and family friends. The family would like to express their gratitude for the exceptional care, grace, and compassion shared by the staff and volunteers at Tri Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Jeanenne's memory to The Chaplaincy at 1480 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 99352 or tricitieschaplaincy.org. A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2016.