Obituary of Lucille Elizabeth Williams

Lucille (Ceil) Williams (O'Brien) 1910-2008 The Little Irish girl from South Dakota is gone -but she leaves behind a host of admiring offspring and friends -and an admirable legacy of joy and laughter. One of the first university-trained medical laboratory technicians, her skill was quickly recognized in Brantford, but was removed from play by Dr. Don Williams who needed her as a wife. She returned to medical service in the 60's and completed a career of over 20 years in the K-W Hospital where Don practiced and where their only daughter Elizabeth was born. A military wife, mother, and grandmother par excellence she "fought" WW2, the Cold War, and campaigns in the Congo, Bosnia and Afghanistan in both air and ground roles as her husband, son and 2 grandsons served actively in England, Germany, Bosnia, Congo and Afghanistan as well as on the home front.. Utterly non-political in a party sense, she came to hobnob with a variety of Lieutenant Governors and Governors General through both her own contacts and Don's membership in the Order of Canada. She even worked the "little South Dakota Girl" line with Pierre Trudeau -who was (of course!) enchanted. She was the biggest fan and adviser to Dick, her son, a radio and TV personality in London, Liz (McLaren)-an Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ontario Government and Jon (Jock) a soldier and pilot. At 80+ years of age she flew in the family open-cockpit Tiger Moth and at least claimed to have enjoyed it! For Mi as they called her, her greatest joy after the passing of Don in 1984 was her grandchildren DJ, Paul, Sara, Nick, and Kristy and the later addition of great-grandchildren Samantha, Rachel, Ayla, and Griffin. Always a lover of debate -her line "I'm sorry, but you're wrong!" was a classic -she wasn't the least bit sorry -and you undoubtedly were wrong. Another -"You're great!" has become a family joke that reduces those "in the know" to tears. Particularly notable was the number of those whom she proudly attested "she had raised from a pup"! A proud member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Kitchener, she returned wholeheartedly to her Roman Catholic roots after her husband's death. In Kitchener, she served as a Girl Guide leader and Commissioner, an active Gyrette, and a member of the Boards of a host of charitable institutions. Don Williams was a wonderful friend and husband to her, and his death was an unbearable loss from which she never fully recovered. Ceil found in Sandra Dyson of London a beloved supporter and help in her declining years. All the family are eternally grateful both to Sandra and to the wonderfully caring staff of Mount Hope. She will be sorely missed -and fondly remembered by all who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held in Kitchener at a date to be announced in the spring. Donations to Mount Hope Centre for Long-Term Care c/o St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation would be appreciated.