Obituary of Marilyn A Williams

On May 28, 2023,  Marilyn Alma Williams, 91, of Fairport, NY, passed away “looking fantastic” according to her doctors with her glitter nails freshly manicured.

She was a woman ahead of her time and proof that age is nothing but a number.  

Marilyn was known for her love of ice cream and manhattans, faith, family and her “friends at 5” weekly gatherings.  She was an active member of Mountain Rise UCC, a stellar bowler in her local league, and participated in exercise classes at Perinton Rec Center and the YMCA.

She had a love of travel, which all began when she road tripped across the country with her best friend and future sister-in-law, Jean, to California in which she met her future husband, Lynnwood at Fort Ord. Some of her most memorable trips were her trip to Australia (again with Jean many years later),  trips to the Virgin Islands to visit her sister Anita, her trip to Mykonos at 81 years young with her granddaughter Lynn, and her many trips around the US seeing the second love of her life, Charles “Chip” Esten (aka Deacon from Nashville) with her daughter Mickey. 

Marilyn was born in East Rochester in 1932 to Erma and Jack Lynn, but lost both her parents to tuberculosis. She was raised by her foster parents, Clarence and Elfleda Druschel, in West Walworth. She married the love of her life Lynnwood Ross Williams in 1957. Lynn died at the age of 30 in 1963 leaving Marilyn widowed with two young girls.  Even through tragedy, she lived a life full of love, growth and gratitude.

She was a working woman before it was common. She worked as a secretary at Eastman Kodak Company, even becoming one of their first models. Following her time at Kodak, she acted as the district treasurer for the Penfield Central School District after moving to Penfield in 1969.  She retired from the school district in 1977, and began work at VanAlphen travel in 1980 where she developed life long friendships and acted as administrative assistance to Gerry VanAlphen until 1995 when she officially retired.  

She was active in her faith and was a past member of Webster Baptist Church and Zion United Methodist Church in West Walworth prior to joining Mountain Rise United Church of Christ.

She volunteered throughout her life at Thompson Hospital, Lifetime Care, New York Wine & Culinary Center, Fairport Baptist Home, Valley Manor Senior Apartments and Mountain Rise UCC amongst others. She was always open to personal growth and picked up meditation, engaged in politics and social advocacy, participated in dream group, kept a gratitude journal and always tried to keep up with her grandkids and great-grandkids, even attempting to get "into" Buffalo Bills football.

She will forever be remembered through her notes, quotes and memories shared with those she loved.

She is survived by daughters Michelle/Mickey (Ronald) Freida, and Jacquelyn/Jackie (Nate) Barragato. Grandsons Ross (Meredith) Freida, Matthew (Katelyn) Barragato, Sam (Ashley) Barragato, Jake (Julia Chudyk) Barragato, and granddaughter Lynn (Steven) Quayle.  Great grandsons Brady, Beau and Knox Freida, Owen and Carter Barragato, Cameron Barragato, Duke Quayle and great-granddaughter Denver Honey Quayle.

Marilyn was predeceased by sisters Anita (Tom) Crevling, and Beatrice (Jim) Tracy, brother-in-law Jim Williams and nephews Bob Tracy and Mike Baker.  She is survived by sister-in-law Jean Baker, sister-in-law Judy Williams, sister Mary White, nieces Eileen (Mitch) Scrivener, Jill (Bob) Lee, Laurie Tracy, and nephew Mark (Tasha) Tracy.

We will be celebrating Marilyn’s life on Thursday, July 27th at 5:00 pm with a service in the outdoor sanctuary at Mountain Rise United Church of Christ. 2 Mountain Rise Fairport, New York. Immediately following the service, please join us for food, drink and ice cream at The Fairport VFW 300 Macedon Center Road Fairport, New York. Arrangements made by Jennings Nulton & Mattle, her ashes will be buried at Oakwood Cemetery.