Grace May Williams

Grace was warm-hearted and friendly, with a wonderful sense of humor. She was playful and creative, always finding a way to make a difference in her immediate circle. Grace was a devout Catholic and a devoted communicant of St. Joseph's Church, now Our Lady of Grace Parish in Pepperell, where she had sung in the choir and played guitar at the Folk Masses.

She was incredibly brave and bold. During her senior year in high school, she trained with a professional bullfighter in Juarez, Mexico and found herself face to face with a few bulls in the ring to the delight of enthusiastic crowds. 

Grace graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, TX, in 1952. She had a passion for writing and took Creative Writing courses at Mount Wachusett Community College. Over her lifetime, she enjoyed writing jokes and limericks and funny anecdotes to share with family and friends.

She met her husband James T. Williams, a Lieutenant in the Army, stationed at Fort Bliss, in her hometown. They married in 1954 and moved back to his hometown in Enfield, New Hampshire. They lived briefly in Florida, then Wareham, MA and eventually settled in Pepperell in 1964. She raised her seven children and enjoyed being a mother and homemaker. She was blessed to enjoy many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Grace had a fulfilling career, working for the Town of Pepperell, as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for over 20 years. She often spoke fondly of those years, considering them some of the best of her life. Additionally, she worked for several local families, caring for elderly patients in their homes until they passed away. She co-owned and operated a part-time, local blueberry plantation with her husband during their retirement years. They were in partnership with their friends who owned the Scotch Pine Farm in Pepperell.

She took delight in many activities and hobbies, such as visiting with family and friends, doing puzzles and crosswords, playing cards and games, walking with friends, and going to yard sales. She was a wonderful piano and guitar player and had a great love of music. In her younger years she enjoyed seeing plays and Broadway shows. She had a taste for adventure and over the years travelled to the Holy Land in Jerusalem, Mexico City, and Spain along with many trips to visit her relatives in the Southwest. 

Her generosity was evident in the many charities to which she contributed, and to the time spent visiting the residents at Freeman and Park Manor nursing homes and even Concord Prison.

Grace will be deeply missed by her family, friends, former colleagues, and all who knew her. Her legacy of love, charity, and devotion will live on in the hearts of those whose lives she touched. She truly was Amazing.

Grace is survived by her loving children: James T. Williams, Jr., Laurence J. Williams, Aurora A. Avent, William B. Williams, Carl H. Williams, Martin P. Williams, and Julianna T. Whalen. She is also survived by her younger brother, Robert Hill of El Paso, TX. Grace was a cherished grandmother to Justin, Shawn, Sarah, Shelah, Sharleen, Eric, Joseph, James, Benjamin, Sean, Faith, Cassandra, Kelly, Carter, and Aidan. She was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, James T. Williams, and her sisters Gladys and Helen, and brother Benjamin. She was also preceded in death by her grandchild, Steven.

Calling hours will be held at the McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main Street, (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA, on Thursday, December 14th, from 4 - 7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 15th, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Grace worshiping at St. Joseph's Church, 28 Tarbell Street, Pepperell, MA. Burial will be held at 2:00 pm at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St., Winchendon, MA.