Demaris was one of my mother’s dearest friends, I believe that they taught together in DC.  When my grandmother was in the hospital, my mother would drop me off at her house and Demaris would do everything humanly possible to help take my pain away. I remember her house filled with books, the wonderful merange cookies she made, and her sky blue eyes. Such good memories and such a kind person

Demaris and Charles were dear friends of my parents Howard and Thelma Hanson. At a young age, I was an avid reader and I was fascinated by their library. My mother and Demaris taught in the DC public schools together. What I loved most about Demaris were her light blue eyes, and how she talked to me like an adult. Demaris always remembered my birthdays and other special occasions such as when I went to college. I just happened to think of her today and found her obituary. I am so sorry that I failed to contact her, we lost touch after my mother passed away in 1991. Such a special and elegant lady. 

      I was sad to learn about Damaris passing today been trying to call her for her birthday.  Damaris was my was my cousin , and my mother's cousin. My mother May was named after her mother May..              Damaris always had a positive attitude and I never heard her complain of her broken hip or any of her illnesses ever    .     I always enjoyed my conversations with Damaris and especially after my mom's passing she was always there to talk and she would tell me stories about visiting my grandparents and stories of simpler times.        My daughter's would  sing her happy birthday on her birthday and they'll be sad to hear of   her passing!!!                       

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Mrs. Williams.

I first met her and her husband as a young child in the early 1960s. After graduating from high school in the 1970s, we remained in touch, and I always visited them whenever I returned to Washington.

From elementary school through high school, I performed various odd jobs for her and her husband: mowing their lawn, snow removal, and watering their house plants and taking care of their cat Timothy when they were away on vacation.

After high school graduation, I left Washington for my university education and a subsequent career. Marriage and raising a family followed. My wife, children, and I repeatedly visited her and her husband, and they sent us gifts every Christmas. We always enjoyed our visits there. One thing I found remarkable in their house was the size of Mr. Williams’ library. I think they had to construct an addition to their house just to store all those books! I wish I could have spent a week or two there just to read some of those books!

In the meantime, my own children grew up, graduated from university, and are pursuing their own careers. Mrs. Williams’ health and strength gradually weakened as years passed. She did experience a broken hip a few years ago, but made a remarkable recovery. But the years took their toll.

I last saw her during my most recent visit to Washington in June 2017. She was bedridden, nevertheless we enjoyed a long, pleasant conversation, during which I showed her recent photographs of my home and family. Given her physical condition, I thought that it might be our last meeting. Unfortunately, that turned out to be the case.

My wife, children, and I extend our condolences to her family and friends. We are all poorer now, after her passing.

Demaris was my late wife Annabelle’s cousin. Her husband Charles worked in the Pentagon and never lost the ideal of making things better for this country. With the same passion, Demaris served in D. C. first as a teacher and then as an official of the school system. Never able to have their own children, the students she taught became her “children,” and literally Damaris gave her motherly love and dedication to generations of students in D.C. I remember fondly how passionately she spoke about her work as her calling in their living room which was surrounded by books from floor to ceiling on all four walls. She loved to serve hot chocolate. Charles was very well steeped in the U. S. history, and his depth of knowledge would put this academic historian to shame. Damaris was a great conversationalist. Charles and she were well matched.
    A few years after my own retirement in 1994, we moved from Pennsylvania to Maryland. It allowed my wife and me to have an occasional but more regular visit with her. In retirement Demaris had not lost her intellectual vigor. She was always well informed and had kept up with new titles. There was a lot of wisdom in what she would share through her life’s experiences. It was always a joy to have conversation with her.
    Cousin Demaris was a lady who did not curse the darkness, but tried to light a candle to make the world brighter. We love you and we miss you.  David Lu
    


OBITUARY

Demaris J Williams

October 26, 1922 – July 16, 2019

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services