Edith Williams

Edith (Perry) Williams,, formerly of 112 Centre St. in Brookline, passed away peacefully at the Hebrew SeniorLife in Roslindale, on Sunday, February 8, 2015. Edith was born on October 23, 1926 and was raised in Dorchester, MA. She was the daughter of the late Gitel Reisman Perry and Samuel Perry. “Edie”, as she was known to all, was predeceased by her beloved husband, Milton Williams, to whom she was married for thirty six years. She leaves his daughter, Sheila (Williams) Tarlin of Worcester and her two children, Jonathan Tarlin & his wife, Vanessa Mitchell of Washington, D.C. and Jennifer & her husband, Dan Semrad of Las Vegas, Nevada. She also leaves Leila Joy Rosenthal and Laurie Gaynor, beloved cousins and caregivers during Edie’s last years.

In addition she will be remembered with love by many friends, musical colleagues and so many whose lives she touched with kindness. Edie grew up always wanting to sing. She began her career at the age of thirteen in the original Mishkan Tefilah choir and continued on with them when they moved to Newton. She and Milton were also affiliated with B’nai Moshe synagogue in Brighton, MA. She devoted her life to performing Jewish and Hebrew songs and was proud of being the one who opened the Israel Bond Rallies at the Boston Garden with the singing of “Hatikvah”. In her younger years she traveled the world as social hostess on two cruise ships, the Shalom and the Leonardo da Vinci. She also performed all throughout New England, especially in the Catskill Mountains and Bethlehem, New Hampshire.

In 1971 when she married Milton, she included him as her singing partner and as a duo they were highly sought out to perform. In later years they performed at many local nursing homes where they brightened the lives of many seniors who enjoyed their unique blend of Broadway tunes and Yiddish melodies. In later years she began studying art with the famous local artist, Dorothy Lepler, and she became well known for sharing her paintings with friends. She was a member of many Jewish organizations such as Hadassah and B’nai B’rith Women. She also served on the board of the Brookline Visiting Nurse Association.

Memorial service/unveiling will be held at Sharon memorial Park , 40 Dedham St., Sharon on Sunday, November 1, at 11:30am.

Remembrances may be made to a Jewish charity of one’s choice or to the Magen David Adom in Israel.