Dolores ‘Dee’ Williams, had generous nature
Dolores “Dee” May Massery Williams, 96, of Lewes, peacefully left to be with the Lord Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, with her daughter at her side. Blessed with amazingly good health, Dee was active and "zippy" long into her senior years, happily spending her last 35 years in Lewes.
She was born May 29, 1921, in Greenoak, Pa., the third of five children of Clarence Massery (Glecerio Mazzieri of Poviglio, Italy) and Rose Mary (Ardiana) Massery. Educated in the public schools of Versailles Borough, Pa., she graduated from McKeesport High School, Class of 1939. She prepared for a secretarial career at Douglas Business School. An expert bookkeeper, typist and shorthand transcriber, she enjoyed a long career with a variety of positions in the realms of business, the U.S. government and education.
Employment with the Chrysler Corporation and U.S. Steel in the Pittsburgh area preceded a move in 1953 to Arlington, Va., where she began working for the U.S. government. Likely her favorite assignment was at the Pentagon, with the U.S. Navy in the Office of Submariners. The last years of her career were spent with the Arlington County public schools. She especially enjoyed her final gig in the English Department at Washington-Lee High School.
Dee met her future husband, George, while working for the Navy. When still newlyweds, her husband's two school-age daughters joined the household. Exploring the many wonders of D.C. - the museums, galleries, music venues, parks - all agreed that Arlington was a great place to live! Dee was a devoted animal lover, very tolerant, and accepting of the numerous species who came to live in the home; the daughters being quite persuasive in this area. Dee had a particular fondness for dogs. The typical pack in the family consisted of two Pembroke Welsh Corgis and a houndy mutt of some ilk. After five decades of this canine dynamic, the last dog standing was a rescue Bassett Hound diva, whom Dee found comically entertaining.
Dee and George shared enjoyment in gardening (flowers and veggies), bowling, swimming, reading, photography, travel and, at the end of the day, sipping Manhattans. After retiring, they moved to the Delaware shore, where they had previously come for many family vacations in Dewey and Rehoboth. They lived briefly in Rehoboth, where they belonged to Westminster Presbyterian Church (Dee joined the church choir). They subsequently built a house in Lewes, joining the congregation at Bethel Methodist Church. (In recent years, Dee really missed being able to attend the monthly gatherings of Mary Martha Group, as well as attending 8 a.m. worship services.) Walking in the state park and area beaches and boardwalks was a regular routine, often accompanied by one or more dogs. Delivering Meals on Wheels for many years was another joint venture. Freedom of schedule now allowed for numerous overseas travels, Norway being a destination repeatedly. A Beebe Auxiliary member, Dee volunteered at the hospital for 28 years, mostly manning the Information Desk. Her rapid walking gait and incredibly youthful appearance totally belied her advanced age. Nobody believed when she told them she was 90-plus! Constantly asked the secret of her longevity, she'd tell folks it was likely from consuming fresh foods (lots of tomatoes, veggies, olive oil, and garlic) and "Dago Red" wine; but she and her three surviving siblings clearly are recipients of good longevity genes.
In addition to her parents, Dee was preceded in death by her husband, George Williams, after 44 years of marriage; her brother, Russell Massery; her daughter, Hollis (Holly) Williams; her niece, Sheila Sue (Massery) Husic; and her longtime best friend, Margaret (Peggy) Fulton.
She is survived by her brothers: Jennings Massery of Ripon, Wis., Edwin Massery of Fremont, Ohio, and Clarence Massery Jr. and his wife Natalie of Belle Vernon, Pa.; her daughter, Janet Myers of Lewes; her son-in-law, Alton Myers of Pembroke, Va.; her grandson, Christopher Myers of Pilot, Va.; her great-grandson, Micah Myers of Richmond, Va.; her great-granddaughter, Angie Myers McFarland and her husband Brian of Roanoke, Va.; and her nieces and nephews around the country: Bill, Judy, Maxine, Mark, Russ Ann, Kathy Lynn, Russell, Christopher, James, Dean and Edward.
Though gone from our sight, we will long remember her big, bright smile, generous nature, quirky sense of humor, beautiful white head of hair, and her always-delicious spaghetti sauce. Memorial services will be private, at a later date, when Dee's home team will inter her cremains in Beech Creek, Pa.
