Deanne Williams
January 15, 1955 — October 20, 2024
Barbara DeAnne Williams (née Blomquist) passed away peacefully in Frederick, MD, on October 20, 2024, at the age of 69. DeAnne was a devoted mother. She dedicated her life to nurturing her nine children, as well as the many others who also came to know her affectionately as “Mom” or “Mama Williams.”
DeAnne was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on January 15, 1955, and grew up in both Utah and California. She graduated from La Cañada High School before attending Brigham Young University, where she studied elementary education. In 1975, while Christmas caroling with members of her local church, she met her eternal companion, Eric Williams. The two wed on April 23, 1976, in the Salt Lake Temple. They eventually relocated to Gaithersburg, MD, for 20 years, followed by 9 years in San Antonio, TX, and another 6 years in Utah and New York before returning home to Maryland in 2022.
DeAnne loved music. She enthusiastically sang, played piano and organ, and occasionally arranged beloved songs.
DeAnne was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She exemplified discipleship, holding many callings throughout her life. Her favorites included working with the primary-age children and any that drew upon her musical talents.
She and Eric served three full-time missions. First in the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission in 2019. The second in the New York New York City Mission from 2020 to 2021, part of which was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Frederick they have worked in the Church's addiction recovery program.
DeAnne is survived by her loving husband, Eric; her children Jennifer (Jon), Michael (Mindy), Rebecca (Christopher), Margaret (Josh), Paul, Thomas (Anna), Emily (Jonathan), and Linda; her 14 grandchildren; her mother, Barbara; and her 4 siblings Dean, Deb, Wendy, and Bryan. She is preceded in death by her daughter Katy and her father, Eben.
DeAnne’s life will be celebrated on Thursday, October 24, at the LDS meetinghouse at 1811 Latham Drive, Frederick, MD 21701. Visitation begins at 10 AM, and the service at 11. The service will be livestreamed at https://zoom.us/j/99327046100?pwd=clM2bGh2UEpwVDI5S2hZaGxrYWI3Zz09 The Meeting ID: 993 2704 6100 and the passcode is 809401 She will be interred immediately after in St. John’s Cemetery at the corner of 216 East Fourth Street. There will also be a small memorial in Pleasant Grove, Utah, on November 2 at 4pm, at 1176 N 730 E.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in DeAnne’s memory to Primary Children’s Hospital – Salt Lake City, located at 100 North Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, or donate electronically at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/locations/primary-childrens-salt-lake-city/give
DeAnne was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on January 15, 1955, and grew up in both Utah and California. She graduated from La Cañada High School before attending Brigham Young University, where she studied elementary education. In 1975, while Christmas caroling with members of her local church, she met her eternal companion, Eric Williams. The two wed on April 23, 1976, in the Salt Lake Temple. They eventually relocated to Gaithersburg, MD, for 20 years, followed by 9 years in San Antonio, TX, and another 6 years in Utah and New York before returning home to Maryland in 2022.
DeAnne loved music. She enthusiastically sang, played piano and organ, and occasionally arranged beloved songs.
DeAnne was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She exemplified discipleship, holding many callings throughout her life. Her favorites included working with the primary-age children and any that drew upon her musical talents.
She and Eric served three full-time missions. First in the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission in 2019. The second in the New York New York City Mission from 2020 to 2021, part of which was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Frederick they have worked in the Church's addiction recovery program.
DeAnne is survived by her loving husband, Eric; her children Jennifer (Jon), Michael (Mindy), Rebecca (Christopher), Margaret (Josh), Paul, Thomas (Anna), Emily (Jonathan), and Linda; her 14 grandchildren; her mother, Barbara; and her 4 siblings Dean, Deb, Wendy, and Bryan. She is preceded in death by her daughter Katy and her father, Eben.
DeAnne’s life will be celebrated on Thursday, October 24, at the LDS meetinghouse at 1811 Latham Drive, Frederick, MD 21701. Visitation begins at 10 AM, and the service at 11. The service will be livestreamed at https://zoom.us/j/99327046100?pwd=clM2bGh2UEpwVDI5S2hZaGxrYWI3Zz09 The Meeting ID: 993 2704 6100 and the passcode is 809401 She will be interred immediately after in St. John’s Cemetery at the corner of 216 East Fourth Street. There will also be a small memorial in Pleasant Grove, Utah, on November 2 at 4pm, at 1176 N 730 E.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in DeAnne’s memory to Primary Children’s Hospital – Salt Lake City, located at 100 North Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, or donate electronically at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/locations/primary-childrens-salt-lake-city/give
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