Gillian Williams' Obituary
Gillian Williams, aged 62, passed away on November 19, 2024 in North Ogden, Utah with her devoted soulmate, Mike, by her side.
Born on October 5, 1962 in Sheffield, England, Gill was known for her vibrant, outgoing personality and her profound kindness, making everyone she met feel loved and appreciated. Her daughter always joked that strangers would gravitate toward Gill and share their whole life story before even knowing her name. Her presence brought comfort, especially to her close friends and family. She was not only an incredible support to the people in her life, but also a dedicated and highly skilled physical therapist at McKay Dee Hospital for nearly 15 years, where she helped countless individuals with her caring nature and years of experience.
Gillian is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Michael Williams; her daughter, Amy Williams; son, Jack Williams; son-in-law, Casey Eddy; daughter-in-law, Robin Noble; father, John Card; mother-in-law, Brigitte Williams; brother, Stephen Card; sister, Cathryn Turnbull; brother-in-law, Anthony Turnbull; sister-in-law Tanya Card, brother-in-law, Steve Williams; and sister-in-law, Julie Williams.
She will also be fondly remembered as funny and adoring Aunty Gill by her nephews Daniel, Sam, Tom, Luke, Cade, her best buddy Ethan, and her favorite niece Jennifer. She was also a great-aunt to Hugo and Toby, whom she loved very much.
She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends in England and across the United States. A special thank you to Dana, Sarah, and Lindsey for the compassion and attentiveness shared with Gill in her final months and days. An infinite amount of appreciation goes out to the entire team at The Lodge (especially her favorite staff members, Jazelle and Rosa), and to her incredible hospice nurse Mapu, who made sure Gill was as comfortable as possible with her end-of-life care.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Card, mother-in-law Doris Williams, father-in-law Charlie Williams, and several beloved aunts -- who would certainly riot if we did not mention them by name! Among the group referred to as just “The Aunties” were Elsie, Mary, Nellie, Joyce, Alice, Jean, and Rene. Gillian deeply loved Evelyn’s sisters and she looked forward to every holiday season to see which of the Aunties would be crowned as the first to send out their Christmas cards (sometimes arriving as early as October!). She was also preceded in death by her uncles Brian and Harold, and her father’s sister, her lovely Aunty June. She will also be reunited with her beautiful dog, Maggie May. Her family finds comfort knowing Gillian will be surrounded by her loved ones, and her nephew Ethan says, "She is in heaven, having fish and chips with Grandma Evelyn and the dogs.”
Gill loved her career, but also cherished her time spent with friends and family. She enjoyed traveling with Mike and the kids. Some of her favorite places to visit were the British Virgin Islands, Zion National Park, and Bar Harbor, Maine. She also loved to go on trips with “the girls” – whether that be with Amy, her beloved work friends, or loved ones visiting from overseas, there is no question that many hysterical memories were made over the years! Her laughter (lovingly referred to by her family as her "Scooby Doo Cackle”) brought reciprocal joy to everyone who was lucky enough to spend time with her.
It can’t be said enough how much “Gilly” loved her “Mikey.” They married shortly after they met in Saudi Arabia, and spent nearly four decades proving that soulmates truly do exist. The amount of inside jokes they shared was endless, they laughed together often, and they still cuddled any chance they got. Gill was Mike’s sole caregiver for many years, and her devotion to him was beautiful to witness. When she became ill and Casey assumed the caretaker role, Gill’s concern with Mike’s care was still her top priority every day. Mike and Gill’s love story is a novel-worthy tale of love at first sight, finding joy in the mundane, and the immense pain that comes with slowly losing your life partner. Their story reminds us all to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us, and to do so often. It reminds us that true love endures all things.
Gillian’s light will continue to shine through her family and friends and their continued admiration of the wonderful person she was. She will be greatly missed.
A celebration of Gillian's life will be held November 29th from 1pm-6pm at The Monarch in Ogden, offering an opportunity for friends and family to honor her memory. Be ready to jam to some David Bowie and enjoy some Indian food – a party in true Gill fashion!
There will be time dedicated for anyone who wishes to speak, so feel free to say a few words about Gill or share some good memories you have with her.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at LBDA.org, supporting research and care initiatives for others with this devastating disease.
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