Muriel A. Williams

Muriel A. Williams

Oct 6, 1930 – Mar 7, 2017

Preceded in death by parents, Michael “Gus” and Evelyn Clarke; husband, James P. Williams.  Survived by children: Kevin Williams, Susan Williams, and Nancy Olsen (Gregory); grandchildren, Shea Olsen Thompson (Conor) and Whitney Olsen Arrowsmith (Gregory); nieces and nephews; cousins and many friends.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 10^th from 5pm to 7pm at the Bel Air Chapel, with VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Saturday, March 11^th at 10:30am, St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 7790 S. 192^nd St.  Interment, Forest Lawn Memorial Park.  Memorials to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

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Muriel Ann Clarke was the only child of Michael Augustine “Gus” and Evelyn Clarke. Their bundle of joy arrived on October 6, 1930. Her mother was a buyer for Macy’s store and her dad owned a butcher shop on Main Street in Ossining, New York.

When Muriel was eleven years old, her mother died after a long illness. After the death of her mom, she and her dad moved in with her grandmother in a home shared by friends, an aunt and a cousin, Richard, who also lost a mother at a young age. They became very close. In later years, Muriel cared for her grandmother. Her duty was to go home from school at lunch time and give her grandmother her lunch and tea. At the end of the school day she returned home and read her the obituaries! Muriel was loved deeply by her father and became an exceptional cook and baker. Her dad was known for his clam bakes and catered events.

Muriel met James Williams in Ossining High School. They were neighbors and she was very close friends with his sisters, Miriam and Elizabeth. Following a courtship, Jim and Muriel were wed on her birthday, October 6, 1951. They welcomed three children into their lives: Kevin, Susan, and Nancy. Jim worked for Mutual of Omaha in White Plains, New York, and Muriel was a telephone operator for Tappan Zee Answering Service, and later, for Reader’s Digest.

In November of 1973, Jim’s job moved the family to Omaha, Nebraska. Muriel retired at Mutual of Omaha and worked casual as a telephone operator for Methodist Hospital for eighteen years.

The Williams family has many fond memories in Nebraska. Muriel and Jim became famous for their “Kentucky Derby” parties and loved to open their home to many close friends who joined them on holidays and became family. Muriel loved to cook and bake and could host and prepare food for 100 people with ease.

In 1981 they were blessed with a son-in-law, Greg Olsen, when Nancy married on August 22^nd.  Two beloved granddaughters followed—Shea and Whitney. They would later keep their grandma up to date on technology with an iPhone and iPad. Nobody could text like Grams. The family was joined later by two grandsons-in-law, Connor and Greg, both of whom Grandma loved deeply.

After Jim passed away in 1990, Muriel continued to be a devoted, loving mother and grandmother to her family. Many relatives considered her the family matriarch—she kept everyone bonded together.

Her Catholic faith was an important part of her life. She attended St. Augustine School and Church (Ossining, NY), St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church (Omaha), and currently was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Church. A Sunday never went by without the question, “Did you go to church today?” She loved her buddies from Mutual of Omaha, Methodist Hospital, and those from church that met for their Mahjong games.  She also adored her HyVee friends.

She was known for her big heart and special kindness.  An extremely generous and caring person, she always remembered friends by sending cards for their birthdays and anniversaries. She will be missed by her immediate family, her New York family, her great doctor, and many friends.