Jean M. Williams, 85, of 8 Rulison St., Carthage, died peacefully on Saturday evening, December 27, 2025, at Carthage Area Hospital with her loving family at her side. 

Jean was born in West Carthage on November 24, 1940, to the late Harry & Monica (Coyer) Nevills. She was the third daughter of six, including Joan Ferris, Harriet Trowbridge, Linda Gaines, Virginia Burke and Susan Intorcia. Jean and her sisters worked alongside their parents on the farm until she graduated from Carthage High School in 1958. She was very close to her sisters and valued their friendship and support immensely.

 Jean married the love of her life, Claude H. Williams on November 29, 1958, at St. James Church in Carthage. Together they raised their four children, Debra, Christine, Michelle and David.

In Jean’s younger years the family spent summers at Pleasant Lake where she learned to swim, water ski and sail. She loved racing (and beating) Claude up the lake on the sailboat. She instigated many water fights on unsuspecting visitors and shared so many laughs and memories with friends and family.

As she aged, Jean loved her garden. They grew every season and eventually took up most of her yard, which would light up the whole acre with all the lights. She could be found out in her yard from sun up to sun down.

Professionally, Jean worked in her daughter’s podiatry practice, running the front desk and managing the office. She was a very hard working woman who was attentive to minute details. Jean valued the friendships and conversations that she established with the patients so much that she worked for 28 years, retiring at 77 years old.

Jean was the most stylish, put-together woman, even at 85. She took great pride in her outfits, styling to the 9’s with jewelry and lavish coats. Jean got more adventurous throughout the years trying out many hair colors, including pink, purple and blue highlights and even getting her nose pierced at 65.

Most importantly, Jean loved hard. Her mothering didn’t stop with her children- she was known to offer a stern look and finger shake to her grandchildren and their kids when needed, but mostly loved sharing hugs, advice, chocolate, and praise. 

Jean is survived by three daughters: Dr. Debra Williams of Carthage, Christine (Tom) Yarzabek of Warren, PA, and Michelle (Jim) Brady of Clayton; one son: David Williams of West Carthage; her sisters, Linda Gaines, West Carthage; Virginia Burke, Carthage; and Susan Intorcia, Barnes Corners; along with her 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Jean joins her parents, husband, Claude Williams (October 29, 2016), and her sisters, Harriet Trowbridge and Joan Ferris in Heaven. 

Per Jean’s wishes, services will be held privately by the family, and there will be no calling hours. Arrangements are with the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, Carthage. In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. James Catholic Church, 327 West Street, Carthage, NY 13619. Condolences may be shared online at www.bezanillafh.com.