Mavis Daisy Hernilda Williams

Mavis was born on April 14, 1928, in Morant Bay, Jamaica, to Michael and Jane Nembhard. Early in her childhood, her parents and family moved to Belize. Mavis returned to Jamaica as an adult to study Nursing. She completed her training at Kingston Public Hospital, Jamaica in 1956. While in Jamaica, she met her future husband, Alphonso "Jim", and within a few years, they moved to Birmingham, England. In England, Mavis undertook Midwifery training at the Loveday St. School of Obstetrics. In 1975, Mavis and family moved to Canada, first briefly in Toronto, before finally settling in Calgary. Over the course of her career, Mavis worked as a Registered Nurse in Jamaica, the United Kingdom, and Canada, and also as a Midwife in the United Kingdom.

In addition to being a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Mavis was a life-long Christian and an active member of Centennial Presbyterian Church in Calgary, where she served many years as an Elder. She had a gift of making people feel welcome, and for turning strangers into friends. Mavis was also an avid gardener, a skilled seamstress and much admired for her personal style.

Mavis is survived by her sisters, Ethel Burgess and Eva Nembhard, her brothers Joslyn Nembhard and Henry Nembhard, her son, Keith Williams, her grandchildren, Tanya Williams, Edison Graham Sr, Avalene Graham, Michael Adaniel Middleton Jr, Erolyn Middleton, Michelle Middleton, Andrew Middleton, Esther Middleton, Devona Middleton, Kadeem Krishna Middleton, Hughdaniel Middleton, Morris Middleton, Michael Middleton III, and Daisy Middleton, and many great and great great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mavis was also held dear by the eight surviving siblings of her late husband. Mavis was predeceased by her husband, Jim, her sister, Joan Nembhard Peters, her brothers, Frank Nembhard and Andrew Nembhard, her daughter, Jennifer Williams, her son, Michael "Johnny" Adaniel Middleton Sr, and her grandsons, Kenton Graham and Rasheem Shane Middleton.

Special thanks are due to the amazing staff at Carewest - George Boyack for their kind and compassionate care. In Mavis’ honor, donations may be made to Carewest – George Boyack through the Calgary Health Foundation at http://www.calgaryhealthtrust.ca, Centennial Presbyterian Church, Calgary at 103 Pinetown Place NE, Calgary, Alberta T1Y 5J1 or the charity of your choice.