Kathy Jean (Townsend) Williams

Kathy Jean Williams of Erie, Michigan, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend passed peacefully into her Heavenly home on May 5, 2016, with family by her side, after a 4 plus year battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be held for Kathy on Saturday, June 11, 2016, 10:00am at St. Joseph Church in Sylvania, OH.  After the service a procession will travel to Toledo Memorial Park for the internment of her ashes.  All are invited to a brunch being held at St. Joseph Catholic School immediately following Kathy’s internment.

Born Kathy Jean Townsend on January 4, 1949 to parents Robert and Betty Townsend; Kathy was raised on the family egg ranch as the second oldest of four children in Chino, California.  Kathy was an active and adventurous child and held many cherished memories of life on the ranch.  Kathy was an excellent musician, mastering the accordion and leading the Chino High School Band as drum major.

Kathy went on to teach accordion first through Milton Man Studios and then in the garage converted music studio in her home.  Kathy loved entertaining others with her music and frequently arranged performances in local nursing homes allowing her students to perform publically and teaching her children about giving back with the gifts you’ve been given.

Despite being a single mom for several years, Kathy made her children a priority.  She never missed a school or sporting event and had weekly date nights with her kids where she took them to dinner and then a movie at the drive-in theater.

In 1980, Kathy married the man of her dreams, Gary Williams, Sr.  Kathy managed the office of her husband’s construction business for several years.  In 1986, in search of a new business opportunity, Kathy and her family moved to Sylvania, Ohio.  It was here that Kathy nurtured her Christian foundation and became a member at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church.  Around this time Kathy also began working for the Ace Hardware Corporation.

Kathy will be remembered as one who loved gardening, cooking, crafting, fishing, the outdoors and casino hopping.  Above all Kathy loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her family.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 36 years, Gary Williams, Sr; Son Sean Curtin (Kimberly); Daughter Shannon Secrist (Kevin); Step-children Tina Fondren (Patrick); Gary Williams, Jr (Chrissy); Jeff Williams (Linda); Grandchildren Cassidy and Riley Curtin, Kevin Curtin, Jr, Christian Secrist, Ed Konoff (Nicole), Ashley McCoy (Dennis), Erika Osborne (Billy), Amanda, Jessica, Jeff and Sophia Williams,  Jordan and Dustin Fondren and Bradley Zasada.  Kathy has 9 great-grandchildren and her siblings Karen Webber (Bill); Robin MacBean (Mike) and Arthur Townsend.

Kathy was predeceased by her parents Robert and Betty Townsend, her son Kevin Curtin, and great-granddaughter, Jaidyn Fondren.

The family would like to thank ProMedica Hospice, especially Kim and Courtney for the excellent care they provided over Kathy’s last year.   Additional thanks to the Cancer Support group  and “Deb’s Ministry of Prayer and Hope” at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sylvania, OH along with her many friends and well-wishers. Online condolences may be offered at www.reebfuneralhome.com