MILLBROOK – Emma Burch Williams, formerly of Poughkeepsie and Millbrook, NY, died September 15, 2017 in St. Paul, Minnesota, just shy of her 93rd birthday.
Mrs. Williams was born on September 26, 1924 in Hartford, NY, to Walter and Elizabeth Burch. She was raised in Glens Falls, NY, and graduated from Glens Falls High School in 1941 as the class valedictorian. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1945 from Douglass College at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, with high honors in history. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1944. She received her Master’s Degree in education in 1946 from Yale University, New Haven, Ct., and from 1947-1949 she completed coursework for a PhD at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.
On June 28, 1947, she married Robert M. Williams at St. Mary’s in Glens Falls. Mr. Williams predeceased her in 2004. Also predeceased are two brothers, Douglas Burch and Clyde Burch.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her three children: Dana Aguiar and her husband Joseph, Poughkeepsie, NY, Cathryn Frankenberg, Lake Elmo, MN, and Douglas Williams, New Castle, DE. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren: Bryan Frankenberg, Jill Gardner and husband Joseph, Matthew Aguiar, Sarah Ramsay and husband James, Joseph Aguiar, Reid Williams, and Madeline Williams. Also surviving are three great grandchildren: Wyatt and Charlotte Gardner, and Josiah Ramsay.
Mrs. Williams was a teacher in history, government, and economics, serving in the following posts: 1946-47, Camden Central Schools, Camden, NY, 1947- Syracuse University for the summer term in the political science department, and 1961-1986 at Arlington High School, Lagrangeville, NY. During her tenure at Arlington, Mrs. Williams served a one-year term as President of the Arlington Teacher’s Association and was, over many years, active in its affairs.
Following her retirement in 1986, she did volunteer work at St. Francis Hospital, Literacy Volunteers, and Dutchess Outreach, and served for several years as Co-President of the Arlington Retired Teachers Association. She also traveled the world with her husband and dear friends.
In 2005, she moved from Poughkeepsie to the Fountains at Millbrook where she was active in the Resident’s Association, including one term as president. Mrs. Williams also moderated a discussion group on US Foreign Policy and was active in several book clubs. She was an avid reader throughout her life. She had recently relocated to Lake Elmo, MN, to live with her daughter.
She will be fondly remembered by family and friends alike.
Calling hours will be from 4-7pm on Wednesday, September 20, at 3270 Franklin Ave., Millbrook, NY. The funeral service will be held at the chapel at the Fountains at Millbrook, 79 Flint Road, Millbrook, NY, at 11:00 on Thursday, September 21, with the Rev. Paul Lent officiating. Burial will follow at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetary, Poughkeepsie, NY.
