Liberty A. Williams

Liberty Aline Williams, nee Tornati of Venice, Florida, formerly of Closter, NJ., known to her friends as “Libby” died April 25, 2018 in her sleep at the Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota, after a brief illness. She was born November 4, 1917 in Newark, NJ and named by her patriotic immigrant parents after the Liberty War Bond Drive.

After spending most of her childhood in New Jersey, her family moved to NYC where she attended Haaren High School. While a student there, she started the school newspaper where she served as editor and reporter. Her senior year she was voted most popular and received the publication award.

Feisty and funny, Libby was passionate about the theater and ushered at the Venice Theatre for 30 years, including this current season. She was a Gold Life-Master duplicate bridge player who was still active in the Venice-Nokomis Duplicate Club. She loved dancing and was occasionally line dancing until she was 99.

After winning many medals in ping pong at the Sarasota Senior Olympics, she retired her paddle because there was no one left in her age category. She had a good run.

Libby loved movies and as life-long member of the Friends of the Venice Library, she was a frequent attendee, as she was at the South County Jazz Club.

She was predeceased by her parents, three siblings, her husband Gordon Williams, her step-granddaughter Anna Marie Berry and her son-in-law, Bill Schneeloch.

She is survived by her children, Barbara Aline Blanchard (Arthur Siciliano); Margo Schneeloch; William E. Blanchard (Barbara); Libby Blanchard Adler (Donald); and a step-daughter, Elizabeth A. Clark (Thomas) .

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Darlene Ehrhart; Kevin McEldowney; William Schneeloch; Sanford Blanchard (Veronica); Lynne Earley (Jimmy); Michael Blanchard (Tricia); Richard Blanchard (Jamie); Aaron Adler (Rita); Matthew Adler (Ally); nineteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Venice Theatre or the Tidewell Hospice House. No services are planned at present. A family celebration of life will be held at a later date.