Posted Jan 16, 2024 | 11:37 AM
Lois Elaine Williams (nee Freeborn) passed away the morning of Friday, January 12, 2024 in her 77th year with her daughters by her side.
Loving wife for 55 years of the late Wayne Williams of Eugenia.
Amazing mother of Jody (Shawn) Everitt of Thornbury and Jennifer Williams (Bryce Thomson) of Singhampton.
Super fun nana of Ayla and Brent Thomson and Paige and Trent Everitt. Lois was the 10th child of the 13 Freeborn children. She was born in Meaford on November 12, 1947, a daughter of the late Jack and Leona (nee Merrifield) Freeborn.
She will be greatly missed by her brothers and sisters, who were also her best friends. Lois is survived by siblings; Dennis (Kay) Freeborn of Meaford, Terry (Sandy) Freeborn of Meaford, Linda Freeborn of London, Sharon (Ed) Thornton of Meaford, and Diane Willcock of Dauphin, MB. She will be fondly remembered by sisters-in-law Marion Freeborn of Vancouver, BC, Marge Freeborn of London and brother-in-law Dennis (Marge) Williams of Feversham.
Lois was predeceased by siblings Gerry Freeborn, Willis Freeborn, Keith Freeborn, Helen Murray, Vernon ‘Bun’ Freeborn, Doug Freeborn, Glen Freeborn, and brothers-in-law Doug Willcock and Doug Murray, sisters-in-law Jean Freeborn, Frances Freeborn and Alberta Freeborn, and niece and nephew Kim and Glenn Chycota. Lois was very loved and will be dearly missed by her 83 nieces, nephews and their families.
Life was hard work on the farm but that also came with lots of laughter and stories of a tremendous upbringing. She went to school on the 7th line, Minnie Hill Schoolhouse and then Meaford High School. As a child and teenager Lois loved being the back-catcher on a local baseball team in Meaford, driving cars through fields, playing pranks both with and on her siblings, going to local dances and many other stories she shared. She always said ‘there was always something to do and someone to do it with.’
Lois met Wayne at the age of 14, when her girlfriends dared her to ask him to dance at the Sadie Hawkins Dance … they were married in 1968. Lois and Wayne moved to Brampton where she worked for the Royal Bank, and later cleaned at the apartment building they lived in and babysat for many families, who were heartbroken when they moved to Eugenia in 1982, where they resided for many years. After Wayne’s passing Lois moved to her hometown of Meaford. Lois worked for McTavish Insurance in Flesherton, Bumstead Motors in Meaford for over 25 years and then Top of the Rock in Eugenia. Lois was always well liked and respected and definitely one of the hardest working women out there.
Lois and Wayne enjoyed bowling in leagues in Ceylon and Maxwell, snowmobiling, camping, horseshoes and spending time with family and friends. Lois became a mother in 1971 when Jody was born and then completed their family in 1975 when Jennifer was born. She was a loving, caring and patient mom and became both of her daughter’s best friend as time went on and they had children. She was blessed with 4 grandchildren, Ayla, Paige, Trent and Brent. Lois adored being their nana, and they became the reason for her existence. Her love for them was boundless and sleepovers at nana’s continued even to this day with Ayla and Paige whose company she absolutely adored. She beamed with pride watching Brent play any sport and came to all of his local games. She had a very special relationship with Trent, nana spent a tremendous amount of time with him after she retired and will always be Trent’s favourite person. They made each other laugh endlessly.
Lois had a kind heart, a genuine smile and a wonderful laugh that will be so dearly missed. There truly are no words for the hole that is left in her absence.
Please join us for a come and go Celebration of Lois’ Life at the Meaford and St. Vincent Community Centre on Sunday, January 21, 2024 from 1 until 4 p.m.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Events for Life would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted.