Mary Alice Williams

Mary Alice (Heller) Williams,79, of Topeka, passed away on December 31, 2018 surrounded by family.

Mary was born in Lewiston, Montana, to Ethel Agnes (Kelly) Heller and Marion Everoll Heller.  Her parents, as well as two siblings, preceded her in death.  She is survived by two siblings.

Mary was also preceded in death by her husband, Bobby M. Williams (2004).

While living in Seaside, Oregon, she and Bobby met and married in 1958, and together, had a family of 6 children, 8 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Mary worked at home raising her family, and held several jobs outside the home when, at age 50, she became a full-time student at Washburn University.  She graduated from Washburn, Summa Cum Laude, at the age of 55, majoring in English, and minoring in Creative Writing and Russian.  She credited many faculty at Washburn and encouraging citizens, with mentoring and encouraging her successful academic and family life.  Upon graduation, Mary worked and retired from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas, Topeka.

She was a life-long lover of learning, and a skilled craftsman in many of the Arts.  She loved working and creating with her hands.  Mary had a very deep connection to, and in, nature and the outdoors and preferred to be outside whenever possible.

Mary was a fiercely devoted, supportive, and loving mom, nannie, sister and friend.  She found such joy, dedication, and fulfillment in learning and in loving, and she will be sorely missed.

A remembrance gathering will be held on Thursday, January 3^rd from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6^th Ave, Topeka.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Washburn University, Scholarship Department and sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.