Remembering Linda Ruth Williams (nee Crane)

It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce Linda’s passing, after a brief illness, on February 13, 2021, at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, with her husband and sister by her side. Devoted daughter of the late Alfred and Muriel Crane (née Scott), loving and beloved wife of Richard W. (Rick) Williams of Oro-Medonte, dearly loved sister of Barbara Crane Minett (Bob Ferguson) of Severn Bridge, much loved stepmom to Dean Williams (Christina Ingraldi) and Michon Williams (Michael Weissglas) of Toronto, devoted Gramma-Linda to Aaron, Sam and Eva, cherished sister-in-law of David Williams (Carol Brayman) and Marilyn Lurz (Peter Dowsett), and much loved by her extended Crane, Scott and Williams families and a great many friends. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Linda moved with her RCAF family to various postings, including PEI, Winnipeg and France before her family settled in Thornhill, Ontario, shortly before her Dad’s retirement from the military in 1968. After attending York University, and Western University’s Althouse College in London, Linda enjoyed a brief but fulfilling career as an elementary school teacher in Toronto. Following that, Linda spent many years with the Toronto International Boat Show and, in the 1990s, founded Crane Communications, a public relations company where she was involved with the publicity for numerous trade and consumer shows and a variety of other organizations. With a life-long eagerness for learning and growing and adventure, Linda enjoyed sailing, skiing, boating and going to the theatre, and was involved with several book clubs. Linda was a past President of the Orillia Women's Newcomers Club, a role which she embraced not long after moving to Oro-Medonte in early 2013. She and Rick enjoyed many travel adventures in far-flung places around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America and China and, more recently, trips within Canada and the US aboard Flora, their “land yacht”. Special thanks go out to the staff at OSMH for their care, compassion and kindness. A Celebration of Linda’s life will be held at a later date, and notification will be provided. Cremation has already taken place. Messages of condolence are welcome at Carson Funeral Homes, Doolittle Chapel, 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia (705) 326-3595. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation, CNIB or the charity of your choice.