D'Anne Williamson

On June 17th 2016 we lost the independent, intrepid and loving spirit who we were privileged to call Mom, Grandma, Dot and D’Anne. Dorothy Anne Williamson was born November 2, 1924 in Bronx, NY to Marion and Larry Hale. Sister Roberta was born 2 years later and in 1934 when the girls were 10 and 8 the family moved to California. Dorothy loved school and her sharp mind allowed her to excel in all subjects at North Hollywood High. She was involved in many school activities, and her gift for making friends made for an active social life. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Arizona at Flagstaff. It was here that she decided to change her name, and Dorothy became D’Anne. In 1943, when commercial air travel was in its infancy, D’Anne became a stewardess and flew for United Airlines. In 1945 D’Anne met the love of her life John Williamson and they married in 1946. Several years later John and D’Anne moved to Visalia, and shortly thereafter Gail and John Jr. arrived to make their family complete. Whether at home or at her beloved Huntington Lake D’Anne was the consummate hostess, entertaining friends and family with grace and style. The strong friendships that she built over many years sustained her when John died in 1975 and she began a new chapter in her remarkable life. Travel—with friends or on her own—gardening, bridge, books, music and volunteering in the community kept her busy and happy. Summers at Huntington Lake were precious to her, as were the many friends she made there. Yet another chapter began to unfold in her 71st year when 3 grandchildren came to stay. Taking the bull by the horns as always, D’Anne raised them as she had raised Gail and John, with love, care and creativity. Physically active to the end, her later years were spent with friends and family, enjoying her garden and the great outdoors every chance she got. It’s impossible to sum up this amazing woman in a few words. “Intelligent” does not begin to describe her superb and inquisitive mind. “Creative” isn’t nearly big enough to cover the ingenuity of someone who practically invented the phase “thinking outside the box”. “Generous” doesn’t cover her open-handed, open-hearted soul. “Love” is too small a word to represent what she gave to her family and friends so freely. D’Anne is survived by her sister Roberta Collins; daughter Gail Williamson (Annie Meyer), son John Williamson Jr. (Linda Merrill); grandchildren Jenni Kinzer (Jason), Shawn Baker, Jeff Williamson (Olivia Nendel) and John Williamson III (Michaela Matthews); great-grandchildren Brooke, Ryan, Patric, Ariana, Jason and Kaeli; niece Devon Greene (Bob), and nephews Greg Collins (Dorothy) and Doug Collins (Dina), along with great-nieces and great–nephews, cousins and many, many friends. The family would like to thank Kaweah Delta Hospice for their care and comfort, and Dr. Ron Marconi for his invaluable counsel and support. Finally, the family owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Mimi Longoria for the love, tenderness, time, and attention that only she was able to give D’Anne in these last two years.

A celebration of D’Anne’s life will be held at on Saturday, July 16th at 10 am at the Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia with a reception to follow.

Memorials to the Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department, 125 E Barstow Suite 109, Fresno, CA 93710 and Kaweah Delta Hospice Foundation, 216 S. Johnson St., Visalia, CA 93291.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291 (55(0 93291