Jane Duke (Wirth) Williams, 0f 27 Noble Ave., Noank, passed Monday at her home. A former resident of Danielson for 30 years, she had been a resident of Noank since 1975.
Mrs. Williams was born in Chicago on January 12, 1920 the daughter of Robert P. and Anne D. Wirth. She attended Science Hill Boarding School, Wells College, and was a 1941 graduate of Oberlin College. She was also a graduate of Katherine Gibbs School.
She was first married to Lt. Robert Grove, RCAF Bomber Pilot who was killed in the Battle of Britain. She later married Ellsworth E. Williams in Montclair, NJ on July 28, 1946.
An avid sailor for 40 years, Mrs. Williams was a member of the West Cove Yacht Club in Noank and the Alexander’s Lake Yacht Club in Dayville. On Alexander’s Lake, she was in the Sunfish class. An avid reader, she supported the Mytsic Library and literacy programs.
She was a former member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Danielson where she served on the altar guild and was a choir member. More recently, she was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mystic where she also served on the altar guild.
As a benefactor, she provided an endowment of the Masonic Home in Wallkingford, Oberlin College, and in 1988 endowed the Community Foundation of SECT benefiting the Literacy Volunteers, Mystic & Noank Library, and the Noank Historical Society. She was also Past President and former trainer for Nathan Hale Dog Obedience Club in Willimantic. She was a lifelong member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Amaranth, and served as a volunteer at Day Kimball Hospital, and held a private pilot’s license.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Williams is survived by a sister, Sally Bush of NJ; a daughter, Janice W. Martin and her husband Dr. Albert H. Martin of Danielsville, PA, and two grandchildren, Nathaniel D. Martin and Kevin M. Martin. She was predeceased by her sister, Anne Beury.
The family will gather privately for a service. There is no visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to Hosice of SECT, PO Box 902, Uncasville, CT 06382-0902 or the VNA of SECT, 339 Flanders Road, Suite 215, E. Lyme, CT 06330.
To send an online condolence/remembrance to her family, please vclick the link below.