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LAURETTA WILLIAMS

Lauretta Schulze Williams, 91, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on December 6, 2019.

She was born on February 25, 1928 in Sutton, WV, the daughter of Eva Louise and Charles Otto Schulze, who predeceased her in 1985 and 1955 respectively.

In addition to her parents, Lauretta was predeceased by her husband of nearly 60 years, Joseph L. Williams MD in 2016, her youngest son, Christopher John Williams in 1991, and her granddaughter, Kristina Kuhn in 2012. She is survived by her brother John (Yvonne) Schulze of Charlotte, NC, five children, Mark (Mary Sue) Williams of St. Clairsville, OH, Julie (Ray) Mena of Jamestown, CA, Deborah (Paul) Kuhn of Warner Robins, GA, Margaret (Ron) Baker of St. Clairsville, OH, and Peter Williams of Bedford, PA. Lauretta is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Jennifer, Sarah, Jade, Trey, Joseph, Katie, Cameron, Caroline, Cassidy, Alexandria, Christopher, Elaina, Cheyenne, and Jasper. She also had six great grandchildren: Piper, Levi, Charlotte, Calvin, Kristin, and Amara.

Lauretta was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a friend to so many. Lauretta married the love of her life in 1956 following a five year courtship.

Lauretta was a proud graduate of the University of Rochester School of Nursing. She took a hiatus from her nursing career to raise her six children, then resumed her career as an RN working for the Red Cross and later as her husband’s nurse at the Bellaire Clinic and at the St. Clairsville Health Center.

Lauretta enjoyed a fulfilling and happy life with her husband and children. She enjoyed playing scrabble, golf, tennis, bridge, charades, Jeopardy and backgammon with her family and friends. In her later years, she loved her daily morning routine of having coffee and cinnamon toast while doing the crossword puzzle. Lauretta and her husband loved traveling. They visited every continent on Earth with the exception of Antarctica. She especially enjoyed spending a week each year in Palm Springs, CA and two weeks each year with her husband and children in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. One of her most memorable trips occurred in 1971, when she and Joe packed up their six kids in a station wagon and toured the US for three weeks. Visits to Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Tetons, Bryce Canyon, the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and the Grand Canyon were highlights of the trip. Lauretta was willing to embark on any journey that included her husband and children, even hiking the Appalachian Trail, camping at Seneca Lake, and snow skiing at Laurel Mountain.

Lauretta’s greatest attributes included her positive view on life, her fun personality, her compassion and respect for everyone, and her patriotic values that conspicuously emanated from a character of high moral standards. She was a true role model. When reflecting on her life, Lauretta would say, “I lived a charmed life.”

In accordance with Lauretta’s wishes, there will be a visitation on Thursday, December 12, from 4-7 p.m. at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Elm Grove Chapel, 154 Kruger Street, in Elm Grove. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 13, with the Rev. Joseph Augustine serving as celebrant.

Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.

A luncheon will be held at the Our Lady of Peace Parish Hall following the service at 1 p.m.

Memorials may be made in her name to the Catholic Charities Neighborhood Center or the Soup Kitchen in Wheeling.