Gwendolyn Williams

Gwendolyn (Riegle) Williams, 93, formerly of Norwich and more recently of Shelburne, VT, passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Born on May 19, 1930, in North Bergen, NJ, Gwen was the daughter of the late Ralph and Madeline (Spicer) Riegle. She graduated from Union High School in Union, NJ.

Gwen married Kenneth Williams on November 3, 1951, and they enjoyed 69 years together before Ken’s passing in February 2021. They had four children, daughter Jeanne and Seth Urie of Norwich, NY, daughter Gail and Andrew Riggs, of Hinesburg, VT, daughter Donna and Bill Stives, of Warrenton, VA, and son Kenny and Crystal Williams of Linden, VA, each of whom survives. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren; Shawnda Urie, Ethan (Tara) Urie, Colin (Naomi) Urie, Erin (Chris) Walker, Gretchen Riggs, Brittny (Trevor) Miller, Adam Stives, Rachel (Jeremy) Jeffries, Noah Stives, Kamryn, Brelyn, Zachary and Christian Williams; as well as 15 great- grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Gwen was predeceased by her parents and her sisters Madeline (John) Neubauer and Beatrice (Raymond) Peters.

Gwen enjoyed singing in a church choir for more than 40 years, from the time she was in Junior High.

Gwen enjoyed being a homemaker and loved taking care of and raising her family. When her children were all in school, she became a buyer for Abernathy’s Department Store’s card and gift department in Burlington, VT. She was a great reader and loved a good game of bridge in the many places she lived.

Gwen enjoyed moving for Ken’s job which took them to Winston Salem, NC, Whitesboro, NY, Poughkeepsie, NY, Williston, VT and Warrenton, VA and retiring to New Bern, NC. Gwen got acquainted with each new community through volunteer work in the schools, Meals on Wheels, “Fish” food from their home and church receptionist.

When she wasn’t volunteering, she and Ken liked to travel through the United States’ National Parks, Elder Hostels, England, Scotland and Paris. And at home she was an avid Washington Commanders and Boston Red Sox fan.

Gwen loved her family dearly and will be missed by all the generations.

A funeral service for Gwen will be held Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 2:00, at the Broad Street United Methodist Church, 74 N. Broad Street, Norwich. Friends are invited to the church to see family at 1:30.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Jimmy Fund, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hyman Blvd, Staten Island, NY10306, or Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church, 115 Northfield St, Montpelier, VT 05602.