Mary Elizabeth Williams

Mary Elizabeth VanNorden Williams was born on June 9, 1945, in Valhalla, NY, to the late Jack and Grace (Smith) VanNorden. She passed away peacefully at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware on Monday, January 2, 2023. Mary was 77.

Mary received her early childhood education from Holy Rosary Catholic School. She graduated from Port Chester High School in Port Chester, NY. After high school, Mary was trained in secretarial skills at Rochambeau. She worked at W. T. Grant Department Store and eventually found her home working for The Avon Company. In 1981 a job transfer relocated Mary and her daughter Dionne to Delaware. While at Avon, Mary worked in Avon’s credit department for 35 years. After retiring from Avon, Mary took on the great role of caring for Robert Laws (Budda Boy) who she affectionately called her grandson. Mary’s final place of employment was with the Christiana School District as a school bus aide. Following her time with CSD Mary worked with the rest of the Laws boys; William, Harper, and Nate every day after school from 3pm-6pm helping them with homework, making sure they had snacks, and imparting all of her wisdom, while trying not to use bad words in front of her babies.

Mary was a faithful member of St. John’s AM Church, Inc. for over thirty years. She was a part of the Culinary Committee, served as the President of the Missionaries for a period of time* and was a vital part of the Women’s Ministry assisting and attending events as she could. Mary had many hobbies and interests. Her main hobby was bowling. She bowled in a premier league as well as a mother and daughter league with Dionne. She also enjoyed playing Pokeno with the Bristow sisters, coloring Easter eggs, adult coloring books, word searches, and crossword puzzles.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Grace VanNorden, her grandparents Emma and Emmanuel Pina, and her three best friends, Karen DePalma, Betty Anderson, and Ethel (Toni) Whiley. Mary is survived by her only daughter Dionne (Dee Dee). Mary had a big heart and a great love for people. Ronda (Howard) Laws Dionne’s best friend’s sons were able to receive a bonus Grandmother they affectionately called “Nana”. Her friends who also relocated from New York to Delaware - her four oldest and dearest friends of over 50 years Janice Graham, Sadie Brown, Sarah Bristow-Howell, and Edna Seals as well as Cloria and Vikki Otis (daughters of Sadie Brown); The Bristow Family; Terry Bristow, Sharon Charles, Margie (Dee Dee #1) Bristow, Belinda Daniels, RoShanda Bristow, Phyllis Bristow, Kewanda and Tanasha Jardine, Roger Seals (Edna’s husband), Roger Vincent Seals, Valencia (Lynn) Seals-Greene, Mark Seals, Yolanda (Neiki) Seals-Briggs were also a part of this extended family. The family is forever grateful to those who made Mary and Dionne a part of their lives for all the love and support they have given them over the many years.

"Family isn't always blood, it's the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” Maya Angelou.

Please access the link below for live-streaming services for Mary E. VanNorden Williams.

https://okvideode.com/memorialservices/Williams.html