Jean Ross Williams

Jean Ross Williams of Yarmouth, Maine (previously of Westfield, Massachusetts) passed away peacefully on April 21 with her family by her side.

She was predeceased by her husband Peter Williams, her brother Allan Ross and her parents Benjamin and Harriet Ross. Her parents came to the US from Edinburgh, so Scotland always held a special place in Jean’s heart.

Jean is survived by Alex Williams and Cristina Espinosa of New Canaan, CT and Manhattan, NY, Ross and Sandra Williams of Cumberland, ME and their son Benjamin Williams of Boston, MA and Ann Arbor, MI (University of Michigan Medical School), nephews David and Andrew Ross, and nieces Cathy Langlois, Carolyn Knisely and Diane Sugalski.

To put an incredible life simply, Jean was outgoing, upbeat, and social, easily striking up conversations with all in her midst. She was frequently found with a table full of friends at Clayton’s Café or Pineland Farms Market. She cared deeply for her friends, many of whom she had held close since her younger years. She met Peter, her closest friend and love of her life, in high school. She was a tennis player, but it was her graceful runs down the ski slopes in her one-of-a-kind hat that drew compliments. Jean was an incredible flower designer, flower gardener and painted gorgeous floral and landscape watercolors. She was also a master baker of all yummy things. Jean loved all dogs, with Scottish Terriers being her truest loves. She was known for the delicate gold Scottie pendant she wore no matter the day or outfit. Christmas decorating was something straight out of Currier & Ives. Jean’s boys could do no wrong, even when they were wrong. Jean moved through life with a glowing confidence and a New Englander’s grit. Honest to a fault, Jean would tell you just what she was thinking with a smile or a furrowed brow. In the earlier Westfield years, she would take daily rides on a big purple bike. In the later Yarmouth years, she enjoyed walking with her neighbors through Royal River Park and the surrounding areas. She took great joy in all things family, including visiting her sons and touring the areas that they love from Maine to Manhattan. She was immensely proud of her grandson Ben and often shared updates about his activities and accomplishments. Ross and Alex believe their Mom would be happy passing along two bits of her everyday advice: 1. Only wear L.L.Bean if you can and 2. Don’t sell AAPL.

“In my paintings, my primary objective is to create a feeling or a mood. If, in my mind I successfully accomplish this objective, then, for me, the painting has been a happy and satisfying journey.” Jean lived her life just as she described painting all those magnificent watercolors – with beautiful feeling and mood – a happy and satisfying journey.

Jean was a graduate of Westfield High School and Westfield State Teachers College. She was a member of Academic Artists Association, Tobacco Valley Artists Association, Arts West, and Royal River Art League, as well as book clubs, Tuesday Morning Club, MA, and Fortnightly Club, ME.

A burial service for friends and family will be held at Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield, MA on Saturday, June 14th at noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local pet shelter.