Alison Ann Williams

 Alison Ann Williams
January 19, 1965 to January 31, 2019

Our beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, Alison Williams, passed away on Thursday January 31st after a valiant three and a half year fight with pancreatic cancer.  Alison died peacefully while surrounded by her loving family at the Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse in Philadelphia. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service Sunday February 10th at 2:00 pm :

Race Street Room

Cherry Street Meeting House
1515 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA  19102

Here is the general Web page:

https://www.friendscentercorp.org/?page_id=1537

Here are the directions:

https://www.friendscentercorp.org/?page_id=389

Alison is loved far and wide by her loving family and extensive network of friends.  Alison is survived by the love of her life, Todd Sandler, and their two wonderful, loving daughters, Julia (partner Max Lanosga) and Becca.  Alison is also survived by her mother, Barbara Williams, sisters, Cathy Plowden (David) and Jeanine Wiater (Keith), brothers, Devin Williams (Eva Murphy) and Ian Williams (partner Ruth Dubb), mother-in-law Cindy Feingold (Dave Ettinger), sister-in-laws Dee Sandler, Lauren Navas (Kevin) and Monica Day and brother-in-law Tom Roche (Michele) along with her 16 nieces and nephews, Katie Britt Williams, Joe Jackiewicz (partner Kena Flynn), Erica Plowden, Shannon Plowden (Jake Catlett), Matthew Spencer Williams (Polina), Max Williams, Morgan Day, Phoebe Day, Ariel Sandler, Jake Sandler, Camryn Roche, Jason Roche, Claire Wiater, Bella Navas, Violet Navas and Oliver Williams.  Alison is also survived by Liz Nichtberger (Steve) who is mother to Matthew Spencer and Max plus Sadie Britt (Dave Symolon) who is mother to Katie.  Alison was preceded in death by her father, Jack Williams, and her brothers, Matt and Brian Williams, her father-in-law, Gerry Sandler and brother-in-law, Lane Sandler.  Alison also leaves behind life-long friends who feel like family to all of us, Volante Roberts, Joan Johnston, Chris and Sonny Sapp along with their two wonderful children Bradley (Sarah) and Jenn (partner Corwyn Bellavich).  Alison has many, many friends from the Delaware Valley to places from around the country and the world.

Alison was born on January 19th, 1965 in Teaneck, New Jersey to Jack and Barbara Williams, the fifth of seven children.  Alison spent the first few years of her life in Allendale (Bergen County), New Jersey.  In 1969, the family moved to Monroe, Louisiana for three years and then on to Chamblee, Georgia in 1972 where she attended Dresden Elementary and Sequoyah High School in Doraville.  In Alison’s junior year, the family relocated to Glen Rock, New Jersey with brothers Brian, Ian and Devin.  Alison graduated from Glen Rock High School in 1983.  Alison then relocated with the family to Brown Street in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia.  This is where she met Todd, love of her life and future husband. 

Alison received a Bachelor degree in Economics from Rosemont College in Bryn Mawr (the same major as her father, Jack).  Alison’s mom, Barbara, worked there for many years as a librarian. 

Alison and Todd were married in May 1993 and lived together in beautiful West Philadelphia adjacent to Clark Park.  Alison was an influential member of the community where she was very involved in neighborhood activities and improvements.  Among many other important roles, Alison was a Girl Scout mom with Becca for many years.

Alison worked at the Philadelphia Credit Union, the Delaware Group, St. Mary’s Church, Hamilton Village on the Penn Campus and the Parent and Infant Center (PIC) which is affiliated with the Penn Alexander grammar school, where Julia and Becca attended. 

Alison loved yoga and practiced regularly at the Studio 34 on Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia.  This wonderful organization gave Alison a full scholarship to obtain her yoga teaching certification after her initial diagnosis in 2015.  Alison’s hope was to teach and practice yoga with other people who have cancer.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to either of the following organizations would be appreciated:

1.) Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (https://www.pancan.org/). Alison and her family participated in their fundraising walk each Fall in Philadelphia, or
2.) For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Organization (https://takeabreakfromcancer.org/). Alison, Todd, Julia and Becca enjoyed a lovely family vacation through this fantastic organization at Fiesta Key last month. It was a pleasant and fun time together for all of them.

Alison leaves behind a legacy of goodness, kindness and strength.  The world is a much better place for her being here.  Peace to all.