Zelma Irene (née Hardy) Williams

Passed away peacefully in London, on Tuesday, January 26th, 2021, in her 89th year. Beloved wife of the late Rev. J. Robert Williams (2008). Loving mother of Elizabeth Williams (late Jim Moon), Catherine Williams (Dave Neels), John Williams (Ida), Margaret Williams (Rob Fulton) and Irene Williams (Brian Nicol). Cherished Grammie of 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by her parents and siblings. Zelma will be missed by her many nieces and nephews, many of whom knew her as “Aunt Zemmie”. Zelma started her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Nova Scotia after graduating from the Provincial Normal College. She married and raised a family of five while teaching and working a second job as a clergyman’s wife. After a move to Ontario in 1969, she returned to university and graduated from Western with her BA. She taught for many years in the Ingersoll area at Dickson’s Corners and Harris Heights Public Schools. She continued with tutoring several years after retirement. She was well known by many for her culinary skills, particularly her baking of cookies, cakes, breads and lots of other yummy treats, although she was her own worst critic. She could often be heard describing her cookies as “a little too dry”, although none of her baked goods were ever around long enough to dry out. Thankfully, she was able to pass down at least some of her cooking talents to her children. She always maintained her Nova Scotia roots and after retirement, summers were spent at their home there for many years. A special thank you to the staff on the 3rd floor of St. Mary’s, Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care for their exceptional care. A private Celebration of Life will take place at later date in Nova Scotia. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Zelma are asked to consider The Salvation Army or the Alzheimer Society London and Middlesex.