Sandra E. Williams

 72, of North Providence, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on January 23^rd, 2024, from complications of a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born in Pawtucket on December 16^th, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Gloria (Papini) Reis, and the sister of the late Joseph Reis Jr. and the late Joanne Reis. She was the beloved wife of the late Lawrence Williams for 49 years, and loving mother of Courtenay E. Williams (and Kai Lee) of Middletown, New York; Grant L. Williams (and Alejandra Hernandez) of Los Angeles, California; and Amy K. Williams, M.D., (and Adam Obaza) of Long Beach, California. 

She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. During her time at URI, she was a proud member of the Ramettes and the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. It was at URI that she met Larry, the proclaimed love of her youth, middle age, and their far too brief old age. She spent many years managing their pool construction company in Connecticut, and later transitioned her career to executive administration and grant management for the University of Miami (FL), American Association of Cancer Research, and, most recently, the renowned Dana Farber Cancer Institute, where she was also a patient. 

Her intelligence was her hallmark, and her children often refer to her as the smartest person they have known. Those who were fortunate enough to be in her orbit remember her to have been a woman of not only of great intellect and strength, but also warmth and kindness. She had a great passion for reading, a love of music and movies, and a keen eye for art and design. She passed these interests to her children, and they are all grateful that she will continue to live on in their memories through their shared favorite books, music, and movies. There will not be a holiday season that will pass without a viewing of White Christmas in her honor. 

Sandra loved riding on the back of Larry’s motorcycle, she loved the beach, and she loved her family. We hope she is now back with Larry: Their spirits traveling the universe, forever young, on an infinite adventure, knowing how much she will always be loved and missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the following: HopeHealth Hospice (www.hopehealthco.org/ways-to-give/donatenow/donate-to-hopehealth-hospice-palliative-care/) Service Dog Project, Inc. (www.servicedogproject.org); or Dana Farber Cancer Institute (https://www.dana-farber.org/)

We will hold a luncheon in her honor this summer and provide details to family & friends.  

—Submitted by Courtenay, Grant, and Amy Williams