Sybil Joan Williams (23 Dec 1930 - 31 Aug 2024)

In loving memory of Sybil Joan Williams who sadly passed away on 31st August 2024, aged 93 years.

Thank you for paying respects to Mum, Nana, Sybil, Mrs. Williams.

Mrs. Sybil Joan Williams of 2 Lilac Grove Bawtry passed away 31 August 2024 with her daughter Tina and son Ian at her bedside aged 93 following a stroke.

She was born 23 December 1930 in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire as Sybil Knox, to Robert Knox and Lydia (nee Martin). She grew up at the Gledrid near Chirk North Wales. She attended Weston Rhyn primary and Oswestry high school for girls before gaining entry to teacher training college in Hereford.

Upon graduation in early 1950s she moved to Birmingham to start her teaching career at Slade Road school where she met husband Bill and who she married in summer 1953. They lived in Birmingham through until the early 1970s. Sybil mostly taught at Lozells Junior and Infant School and Bill at King's Rise Secondary school. In 1954 their daughter Susan Christina (Tina) was born and 1959 their son Ian Duncan.

Later her kids would both follow their parents footsteps into education, with Tina teaching in Birmingham and Northampton and Ian pursuing research and university education.

In 1971 Bill accepted the post of Director of Adult Education in Maltby, South Yorkshire and the family moved to the nearby town of Bawtry. Sadly Bill passed away from a stroke in 1984, but Sybil continued to teach at local junior/ infants schools in Bircotes and Langold until her retirement in 1990. She also looked after her aging mum Lydia until she passed away in 1991.

Upon her retirement Sybil had more time to spend on her interests (pets, travel!) and made many international trips, including to visit Ian in USA and Hong Kong. She organized many of these herself before the age of internet bookings and arranged a millennium visit to New Zealand and later Australia, both with Tina and Ian.

In 2006 she became a proud grandmother herself, first to Mara and in 2007 to Kira, born to her devoted daughter-in -law Eden. Despite a number of health issues and scares, he continued to lead an active and independent life, greatly assisted by Tina who moved from Northampton to live in nearby Torworth. In early 2023 however, she suffered falls and a broken hip. She moved to St. Saviour's care home in Retford, where she eventually recovered her mobility and adapted to her new environment. She was always happy to get out and about with Tina to visit her favorite shops and restaurants. This Summer she was able to celebrate Tina's 70th birthday and was really pleased that Mara had come to U.K. to study at Leeds.

Unfortunately in mid-August she suffered a sudden stroke and after a brave battle, passed away in the early morning 31 August 2024, aged 93. As was her wish, she had a simple funeral ceremony and cremation, with close family members in attendance. Our plan is to inter her ashes with her dear parents Robert and Lydia at the cemetery in Chirk next year.

Although we are sad, Sybil lived a long, happy and valuable life and touched the lives of 1,000s of children who she taught with dedication and care. She will be remembered fondly by those who came to know her later as 'Sybil' or 'Mrs. Williams' for her kindness and warmth and generous spirit. By her family, 'Mum' or 'Nana' will be remembered as a lady who not only placed a high value on family, but was also a shining example that women can live strong, independent lives.

As she would say "God bless and keep you all safe".

We thank all of you for visiting this site to pay your last respects to Sybil and are deeply touched by many generous donations. The money will go to the wonderful members of Ward 16 at Doncaster Royal Infirmary who cared for Mum in her final days. We are also deeply grateful to the terrific staff of St. Saviour's care home who gave Mum a new lease of life over the past 16 months. The staff at the funeral directors Pinder's, especially Jacqui and Thomas, have been terrific and finally to the Reverend Liz Mack for her comforting words, genuine care and conducting a service that we know Sybil would have deeply appreciated.

Ian, Tina, Mara, Kira and Eden Williams