- Date Of Birth: December 2, 1937
- Date Of Death: May 1, 2020
- State: Florida
Early evening on May 1, 2020, our extraordinary mother passed away peacefully from complications related to ovarian cancer. She is survived by her three children, Tracy Williams of New York City, Perry Williams of Clarkston, Michigan and David Williams of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, grandchildren, Makenzie and Marshall Williams, as well as, Sharon Sayles and Buzz Smith, her sister and brother.
Barbara Gail Smith Williams was born in Algonac, Michigan to Mr. and Mrs. Harsen Smith. Growing up on Lake St. Clair to a boating family who founded Chris-Craft Boats, she was always a tremendous athlete and up for any outdoor adventures. In her senior year while a boarding student at Kingswood High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Barbara met our father, David Williams, on a blind date. She commenced her first year of college at University of Michigan yet soon left to marry.
When our parents divorced in 1972, Mom and we three children moved to Boca Raton, Florida. Our mother immediately became involved in local life. She joined the Boca Raton branch of the Junior League and became active in St. Andrews School where all three of us children attended high school. She was also active in the Morikami Museum, the Garden Club, and a Book Club. Through these organizations, she created a community of amazing friends who continue to be a part of all our lives to this day. Always a true leader, Barbara was president of the St. Andrews Mothers Association and recently, the Antique Club of Boca Raton.
With boundless energy, Mom was also a tremendous cook and hostess. She created a food and a travel BlogSpot, Moveable Feasts, and published two family recipe cookbooks.
A world traveler with her daughter, they explored the globe from French Polynesia, Europe, Hawaiian Islands to the Caribbean, falling deeply in love with two islands, St. Lucia and Providenciales. We as a family spent many happy times on these last two islands.
Barbara was a rare human being. She will be deeply missed and remain in our hearts always as she was a true friend, a class act, an independent and lastly, a beautiful individual.
