Laura Williams

November 16, 1932-October 7, 2020

Laura Edith Williams, 87, of Portland, Oregon passed away from complications of dementia on the evening of October 7, 2020. Laura passed away peacefully while receiving comfort care at Providence Portland Medical Center.

Laura was born on November 16, 1932 in Shaker Heights, Cleveland, Ohio. She was the second child and the first daughter of Helen C. and Harold B. Thomas, M.D. She grew up spending time in the Shaker Heights home and time in Geauga, Ohio at the family dairy farm on Butternut Road.

Laura graduated from Austinburg High School and married Arthur Williams Jr. of Geneva, Ohio. They were married for 17 years, lived in Geneva, Ohio, and had four children. Laura loved to sing in the church choir and was active in the Austinburg United Church of Christ during this time of her life. When Laura and Art divorced, she had started college at Kent State University, Ashtabula Campus.

Laura went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Psychology from Lake Erie College and then a Master’s Degree in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. She then moved to Cleveland Heights, Ohio as a single parent to work as a medical social worker for University Hospitals. She worked helping high risk pregnancy clients during this time. Laura continued her career as a medical social worker with stroke clients at Parma Hospital and later with renal and dialysis clients at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. She loved the medical field and helping people. While semi-retired, Laura did home studies for adoptive parents for Gentle Care Adoption Agency. She also headed support groups for stroke clients and adoptive parents during her career.

After spending many years in Cleveland Heights, Laura flew across the country with her daughter and granddaughter to live in Portland, Oregon with her daughter, Geri Travis. Laura lived with her daughter and son-in-law for the last four years of her life.

Laura is survived by: son Robert Williams (Teresa), daughter Lynda Williams, daughter Geraldine Travis (Anthony), son James Williams (Kathryn), grandchildren Jason, Lindsay, Carrie, Myranda, Jeremy and Kayla and six great-grandchildren.

Laura was preceded in death by: parents Helen (Boepple) Sidley and Harold Thomas, M.D., brother Robert Thomas, and sister Charlotte Roach.

A private memorial service will planned at a later date due to COVID 19 virus. Cremation is being handled by Omega Funeral and Cremation. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Housecall Providers (5100 SW Macadam Ave Ste 200, Portland, OR 97239 (971) 202-5500) or Providence Portland Medical Center. Condolences can be placed on the Omega Obituary web site.

The family of Laura sends special thanks to Irina and Victor Lupu Adult Care Home. Irina and her staff took wonderful care of Laura for the last two months of her life. Special thanks to the Housecall Providers staff who visited Laura at home. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and other staff on 5G at Providence Portland Medical Center who cared for Laura during the last week of her life.