Aberdean Deloris Williams

Aberdean Deloris Williams (“Aunt Dell”), a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024, at the age of 96 after a beautifully lived life. Full of love, laughter, and resilience, she touched the lives of all who knew her.

Born in Steer Town, Jamaica, Aberdean graduated from Camperdown High School - Kingston, where she was a standout player on its netball team.

She and her husband Lenny, immigrated to England in 1955 as proud members of the "Windrush" generation. These were people from the Caribbean, who went to England to help rebuild its infrastructure and economy at the end of World War II. There she completed nursing school and went on to study midwifery. She personally delivered hundreds of young British "babyboomers" often getting to the mothers by riding her bicycle through London traffic, sometimes in extremely wintry conditions. She excelled at her job, and with additional training, was promoted to Matron of a leading hospital in London.

After fourteen years in England, the family immigrated to the United States. She quickly passed the NJ State Board Nursing Exam (scoring a perfect 100%, not ever taking a multiple-choice exam before), and established herself as a Registered Nurse. She worked at Montclair Community Hospital then moved on to be the Charge Nurse at two nursing homes (at the same time) in East Orange. She did all this while successfully raising a family of three teenagers plus whomever happened to need a place to stay at the time. She was tireless in the pursuit of providing for, and making those in her household happy and comfortable.

It has to be acknowledged that Aunt Dell was responsible for helping dozens of family members and friends to get their professional lives started in both England and the United States. All were welcomed and provided for, (for as long as it took) for them to establish themselves and were able to go out on their own to practice their chosen professions. The “graduates” from Aunt Dell’s home includes a grateful group of successful and accomplished engineers, doctors, nurses, attorneys, truck drivers, and so many more; she was never an” empty-nester” as long as she owned a home.

Throughout her life, Aunt Dell was strongly grounded in her faith and a great believer in prayer. She continuously prayed for the well-being of everyone she could think of during her later years when she was no longer able to provide physical help to them. She was at her happiest when her pastor came to administer communion and pray and sing with her on Sundays.

Aberdean will be forever loved and missed by her children, George (Janette) and Milton, also grandsons Greg (Canice), Gary, Jules (Christopher) and granddaughters Monique (Dom), Gillian and (Nicola), also great granddaughters Mackenzie, Madison, Zoe, Rowen, Iris, Eliza, and Logan; brother, Kenneth and sisters Cynthia and Patricia Elaine; Aunt Teany (100) and many nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, and family and friends.

Aberdean was preceded in death by her husband Lenion, daughter Doreen; grandson, Geoffrey; sisters, Doreen, Patricia and Bessie; brothers Spank, Barron/"Jackie", Donavan, and Wilmott.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be announced at a later date.