Obituary of Mary Lou D. Williams
ANCRAM -
Mary Lou (Penny) Williams, 80, of Ancram, New York, passed away peacefully at her home and went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
Penny was born on February 6, 1943, in Queens, New York to Mae G. (Mandell) and Charles T. Wagner, Sr. She lived in South Ozone Park in Queens, New York for eighteen years, attending PS 45, Shimer Junior High School, then graduating from John Adams High School.
On December 8, 1962, she married Josef Schmidt Jr. whom she shared four children with. Together, she and her family lived in Kings Park, Long Island, where she served on the Kings Park School District PTO, volunteered at the school and also volunteered with both the local Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts.
In 1981, Penny and her family left Kings Park to pursue a life in the country in beautiful upstate New York, purchasing a home in Churchtown, Columbia County. There she was able to enjoy the wildlife and nature that she so loved as well as her little farm of dogs, cats, rabbits, a bird and a horse. Penny always considered Columbia County her “true home”.
On September 19, 2004, she married Wayne Williams in the backyard of her Ancram, New York home surrounded by family and friends. Together they shared twenty-seven years of love.
Over the years, Penny continued to do volunteer work for Taconic Hills School District, where her three children attended. She attended the Church of the Holy Cross in West Taghkanic where she taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. She had worked for many years for John A. Alvarez and Sons as a bookkeeper and later, worked as a school bus monitor for special needs students for the Red Hook School District. She always loved spending her mornings and afternoons with her students and became close with the families as well.
Anyone who knew Penny knew that she had a deep devotion and love for animals. As a little girl, her love for dogs began, and over the years she became a breeder, trainer and was known for showing champion Great Danes. Penny was also a volunteer and Foster Mom for Labs4Rescue. She had a great admiration and love for her FIDS (Fur and Feathered Kids).
Penny passed her deep love and adoration for animals to each of her children. She enjoyed celebrating Christmas and Easter, while always keeping the emphasis and focus on the true meaning of the holiday. Throughout the years, she enjoyed blessing many with thoughtful and meaningful gifts.
Penny was predeceased by her parents, Mae G. (Mandell) and Charles T. Wagner, Sr.; brother, Charles T. Wagner; sisters, Joan H. Kelch and Diane Pickup; infant son, John Schmidt; and most recent FIDS to include Doberman Pinscher - Shane; Labs - Chance and Kahlua; and her two exotic birds - Miami and Baby Bird.
She is survived by her husband, Wayne Williams; her three children, Kerry Anne Schmidt, David Josef Schmidt, and Aimee Elizabeth (Jonathan) Walsh; known as mom mom to her grandchildren, Ashton Fantauzzo, Braeden Morris, Cameron Hessler, and Emma Walsh; and her devoted and sweet dog, Princess Lizzie.
Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc.
The family will have a private ceremony per Penny’s wishes.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Labs4Rescue can be made in Penny’s name.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com
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