Obituary of Jessie Williams

Jessie Williams and John Barclay Wilkie Jessie, 91, passed away May 3, 2015. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt and friend. Our mom helped many people and animals over the years. She was truly an amazing woman. She is survived by her daughters, Jane Wilkie, Margaret Wilkie and Dorothy (Craig) Courville; her grandchildren, Richard (Michelle) Wilkie, James (Ann) Wilkie, Nyle (Connie) Schafhauser, Carrie (Steve Marconi) Jimenez, Michael and Leslie Courville; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; honorary daughter, Sallie (Bob) Seymour and the McFadyen family. Predeceased by her parents, Edward and Margaret (Ladd) Williams; her husband of 51+ years, John B. Wilkie (August 17, 1997); her siblings, Dorothy Mott, Margaret Bohlman, Samuel and Frank Williams and dear friends, Evelyn and Hugh McFadyen. She was born in Pottstown, PA on April 26, 1924, the youngest of five. She lived many places as a child including Rio de Janeiro and Shanghai. She graduated from high school in Bayside, NY. She came to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona and received a degree in Anthropology in 1946. She met the love of her life, John, at the UofA. They were married in 1946 and settled in Tucson. Together they lived a remarkable life, as a loving and generous couple. John and Jessie were faithful members of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church since 1953. Jessie was a Sunday school teacher for over 40 years. She was also a substitute teacher, Brownie leader, caregiver to her parents and sister, and a 'mother' and 'grandmother' to many. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. 3rd St., Tucson. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to The Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, or St. Mark's For Others Fund. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.