Gretchen L. Williams

Gretchen L. Williams, 85, of Lancaster, PA, formerly of Fernandina Beach, FL, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023 at Mennonite Nursing Home, Lancaster, PA. Born in Harrisburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late James A. and Mabel Mae (Stees) Stoner. Gretchen was the wife of the late Kenneth F. Williams who passed away on December 10, 2022. Gretchen was a graduate of Lemoyne High School class of 1956. She was a well-known watercolor artist who won many awards throughout her life. While living in Harrisburg, she was a member of the Mechanicsburg Art Association, was a Girl Scout leader, and taught a nursery school at her church. Her husband’s employment took them to Florida in the early 80’s. Gretchen participated in the Boca Raton Art Center, the KeyWest Art Center and the Island Art Association and Gallery in Fernandina Beach. She was also active in local women’s clubs and the Zonta Club of Key West where she served two terms as president and was instrumental in establishing a homeless shelter there. Her artwork was selected by Disney and hung in rooms throughout their Key West Resort. She was always in demand for teaching art classes and shared her knowledge with other artists. Gretchen was active in her church wherever she lived She particularly loved Ocean City, Maryland, where she spent time at their beach house and used it as a base for her painting adventures and more art shows when she came north in the summer. She was known all up and down the east coast at juried art shows where her watercolors were always in demand. Gretchen is survived by a daughter, Susan Whitman of Wyoming, PA; two step-daughters, Jacquelyn Rinehart, wife of Douglas of Mount Joy, PA and Janice Dudzinski, wife of Eric of Elkton, MD; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; three sisters, Wenda Plowman, wife of John of Harrisburg, Janet Dicks of Boynton Beach, FL, and Gail Remsburg, wife of Mike of Mechanicsburg; and a brother, James Stoner of Carlisle; and a half brother, Don LeVan of Harrisburg. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Peggy Stermer. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Home Benevolent Fund, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.

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Gretchen L. Williams

September 12, 1938 - December 29, 2023