Gloria Williams

Gloria Willliams, born June 25, 1927 in York, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 4 while visiting her daughter in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Sam and Mae Singer. Her husband was the late Bennett Williams, founder of Bennett Williams Real Estate. Gloria was the mother of Larry Williams (artist, photographer, and film/tv director), who passed away in 1999, and Phyllis Williams who resides in York and Marjorie Williams of Cambridge, Mass.

Gloria was proud of being from York and particularly her upbringing in North York near her father’s business, Singer Brothers Appliances. She graduated from North York High School and regularly participated in school reunions. After completing high school, she attended Thompson Business school. She worked for Carew Steel, BonTon, York Hospital, and helped her husband at Bennett Williams Real Estate.

She was an extremely active member of the Jewish community and the larger local community. She was a longstanding and much loved member of Ohev Shalom Synagogue congregation and Sisterhood, the Jewish Community Center, United Jewish Appeal, Bnai Brith, and Hadassah. She co-launched the JCC Senior Adults program, which is now called the Tuesday Club. She taught literacy to inner-city children. She was a board member of the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center. She supported and volunteered in many other programs as well. She was honored with the Betty Dressner Lifetime Achievement Award for her many contributions to the JCC.

Gloria was a pioneer in advocating for healthy foods and natural living. Starting in the 1960s, she supported organic farming and became passionate about healthy living. She was active in the Pennsylvania Natural Living Association and regularly attended yoga and tai chi classes. She was a trendsetter, knowledgeable and effective as an ambassador for healthy eating habits long before that became mainstream.

Throughout her life, Gloria was known for her extraordinary kindness, active spirit, exceptional elegance and style, as well as her devotion to family. She was proud of her roots as a Singer and a Lipsitz, and of all her offspring and extended family. She loved to travel and meet new people. She was a “people person”--both interested in others as well as interesting herself and always ready to share useful tidbits or fun stories. She had a talent for bringing people together, turning an ordinary breakfast or snack into a party. One of her favorite expressions was “L’Chaim,” meaning To Life!

Gloria leaves behind daughters Phyllis Williams and Marjorie Williams, brother Melvin Singer, daughter-in-law Leslie Libman, son-in-law Michael Tushman, grandchildren Bennett and Sidney Williams, and Jonathan and Rachel Tushman, and great-grandchildren Henry and Audrey Tushman.

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew Senior Life, 1200 Centre St., Boston, MA 02131.