Joan Patricia Williams

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1938, Joan grew up in Clark and graduated from Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield. She later worked in the school office until she met the love of her life, Ed Williams, at Culvermere, a vacation resort in Branchville, New Jersey.

Joan and Ed shared a fulfilling 51-year marriage and built a life centered on family, hard work, and love. For much of her life, Joan lived at Williams Nursery in Westfield. Her main role was keeping the books and managing the nursery’s many accounts, but she also designed wreaths, helped customers, unloaded plant trucks, and filled in wherever she was needed, all while raising a family.

She was loving, kind, and full of life, with an energy that stayed with her through the years. She always seemed younger than her age. She had a laugh that everyone noticed, louder than most and filled with joy. It was contagious. She had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcome. Those who knew her were better for it. Joan was also a talented watercolor painter, loved to sing, and enjoyed golf, both on the course and miniature, as well as tennis and fishing. She supported the arts, was an avid reader, enjoyed watching sports, and really loved to shop. She carried joy, enthusiasm, and creativity with her, and those gifts remained part of her throughout her life.

Joan’s most cherished role was being Mom. She poured her love, generosity, and spirit into her children, and those qualities became part of the family she helped shape. She was deeply involved in her children’s lives and school years, serving as PTO president, a Brownie leader, and a den mother. Creating family memories was deeply important to Joan and Ed. Whether it was Starcraft camper road trips, weeks spent at the Jersey shore, time on the boardwalk, or weekends together at the lake house, those memories stand as a lasting reflection of the importance of family.

Later, Joan stepped beautifully into one of her most treasured names, becoming “Nanny” to her grandchildren. She was a fun-loving, cool grandmother who never missed a chance to bring laughter, warmth, and love into their lives. She was a constant source of encouragement and their most devoted fan. From major milestones to quiet celebrations, she was always there, ensuring every moment felt special.

Several years after Ed’s passing, Joan was blessed to find companionship again with her beloved partner, Harvey Wilson. Harvey helped her rediscover her spirituality and was a devoted source of comfort and support in her later years. The two were often seen holding hands, a simple and beautiful reflection of the closeness they shared. When Joan became ill, Harvey lovingly cared for her.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, Edward Williams; her daughter, Dawn; her parents, Kenneth and Freda Meyer; her stepfather, Arthur Bullivant; and her brother, Kenny Meyer. She is survived by her beloved partner, Harvey Wilson; her sister, Debra LaGola; her son, David Williams and his partner, Kathy; her daughter, Denise and her husband, Greg Jackson; her grandchildren, Dakota Williams, Taylor and her husband, Joey Machesko, and Melanie and her husband, Adam Osborn; and her great-grandchildren, Van and an anticipated great-granddaughter.

Joan will be remembered for the joy she carried, the kindness she gave so freely, and the laughter that made every room feel lighter and a little louder. Her love lives on in the family she cherished, in the many lives she touched, and in the memories that will continue to bring both comfort and smiles to those who knew her.