Sheryl Anne "Sherry" Williams of Ellington, CT died on September 30, 2019. Born on June 10, 1947 in Youngstown, OH, she was the daughter of the late Margaret (Ohlenschrager) Williams and George Lloyd Williams. Sherry completed her early education in the Youngstown school system, graduating from Chaney High School, and attained a B.A. in French from Grove City (PA) College and a Master, in English Education from Florida State University. She also took post-graduate work at Central Connecticut State U.
Sherry became a noted teacher of French and English, with assignments in South Windsor, CT and Mahoning County (in and near Youngstown), OH early in her career, and then from 1978 through 2003 in the Stafford and Stafford Springs, CT Middle School. As one friend and colleague described her, She, urged her students from what was a CT mill town to "soar above" their provincial backgrounds, to "explore the world and to fully realize the potential that she saw in them." Many of her students did just that, attaining prominent positions in business, government, and education.
In addition to her teaching career, She, devoted a great deal of time and effort to other activities. She was a board member of the 1776 Townhouse Association, where she resided in a condominium, and a volunteer with the uNi Coffeehouse Concert Series in Springfield, MA. A Unitarian Society of Hartford member, she was deeply engaged in congregational activities, especially in the Artist's Way Group sponsored by that church. She was also a member of various Writing Groups, and she wrote many poems, stories, and a novel which she shared with her fellow church members and other friends.
Proud of her Welsh descent, Sherry was also a 15-year member of the Welsh Society of Western New England, of which she was elected as vice president and member of the Board of Directors. Besides enjoying her involvement in the WSWNE activities, such as Welsh language classes and genealogy workshops, she traveled to Wales, where she attended the Eisteddfod (music and literary festival) with a Welsh cousin.
Sherry is survived by her brother, Philip Williams, and his wife, Virginia, of Hillsboro, OR, a niece, Shannon Williams, of Portland OR, a cousin, Lynette Williams Tarrier, of New York, NY, and a cousin Ethne Philips, of Wales. Valuing friendships, she is also survived by a host of friends from her church, the Welsh Society, fellow teachers, neighbors, and others. They provided remarkable moral and financial support during her last days. All are invited to gather on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford, to honor her memory.
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