Elsa E Williams

Elsa Elise Waltraut Williams, who would have been 92 on December 14, was reunited with her beloved husband, Norm, on December 1, 2016.

Born in Huckeswagen, Germany on December 14, 1924, Elsa immigrated to the United States in 1926 or 1927. She and her sister, Margaret, lived above the store her parents owned in Amsterdam, New York. After graduating high school, she attended nursing school, graduating as a Registered Nurse in a time when it was more common for women to stay at home. Elsa always wanted to be of service.

She was working on an army base in the hospital when she met her true love, Norman Williams, who she married on November 10, 1945. They lived in Amsterdam where she gave birth to three sons before moving to Tucson, Arizona in 1952 to see if her asthma would be more manageable in the small, desert town. They had one more child, a daughter, and bought a brand new home on the outskirts of the city.

Elsa worked as a nurse at Tucson Medical Center for 25 years, working the last eleven in the Emergency Room. She retired from the job but not from being a care giver. She soothed, sutured and swathed many over the years. Family, friends, and friends of family came to her for comfort, a diagnosis, a butterfly or just for peace of mind, which she gave without fail, day or night, no matter what she was doing. Well, if there was a Wildcats basketball game on, she might wait until half-time. Many terrified parents were able to sleep soundly after taking their children to ‘Oma’s’. She continued to give medical, psychological and Christian counsel even after her eyesight began to fail. She eased many in their departure from this world to the next unselfishly, putting her sadness and sense of loss aside to better help those who needed her.

Elsa attended Faith Lutheran Church and saw her children and several grandchildren confirmed, and/or married there. She was a Christian in the truest sense of the word: compassionate, non-judgmental, without any prejudice or hatred, accepting and unconditionally loving. Her faith never wavered no matter how great her loss or pain. She knew without a doubt God had a plan for her and if she put herself in His hands, whatever it was would be taken care of according to that plan. She lived the Golden Rule, treating others as she wanted to be treated, every second of her life. That’s not to say she was a pushover or had no backbone. She was fierce in her love of family and friends, and had no problem letting them know, respectfully, that they were out of line, being a coward, or letting someone down.

She was a woman of exemplary character, unfailing faith, abundant kindness and wisdom. She loved her family, whether they were hers by marriage or blood made no difference. And once you were hers, you were family forever, and divorce, death or distance never would change that.

Elsa died as she lived, with as little fuss as possible, surrounded by those she loved who loved her right back. She is survived by her children, Fred (Janet) of Bainbridge Island, WA, Robin (Pattie) of San Diego, CA, Michael (Marsha) and Louise (Tim Gilbert) of Tucson. She also leaves fifteen grandchildren, Kyle, Keri, Elan, Brandie (Johnny), Sky, Amy (Tim), April, Seth, Bella, Joe (LeAnne), David (Sharon), Dylan, Jaymes (Erik), Crystal (Tony) and Rebecca (Dave), seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-greatgrandchild. She also is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

It is a rare and wondrous human being who can pass through life untouched by hatred, bigotry or selfishness. Elsa was one of those rare breeds, a woman who inspired just being exactly who she was, who taught and led by example, always walking her talk, and who touched everyone she came into contact with in a positive way.

We, her family and friends, are deeply grateful for and enriched by each and every second we spent with this amazing woman and will feel her loss always, even as we still feel her presence in our hearts. However, we are comforted and secure in the knowledge that Elsa is finally reunited with her soulmate, Norm, her parents and sister and her many friends in the home God prepared for her. She is at peace, pain free and perfect.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made in Elsa’s name to the Faith Lutheran Church – Altar Guild.