Shirley Rae Williams from Mount Pleasant dies at age 97

A beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother has been remembered for the lavish life she lived after passing away at the age of 97.

Water skiing, caravan parks and television stations were just some of the many endeavours that dotted the late Shirley Rae Williams long and lavish life.

With nearly a century worth of memories shared, the Mount Pleasant local has passed away at the age of 97.

Mrs Williams was born on April 14, 1924, the youngest child of three to parents Elsie Blanche and Arthur Lambert Dewar in Port Adelaide South Australia.

It was in South Australia that she met the tailor from Clare who would soon become the love of her life — Max Williams.

The pair was married on Saturday July 27 1946 at St Margaret’s Church in Woodville and began their life together in Peterborough.

The late Shirley Rae Williams and her husband Max Williams on their wedding day. Picture contributed by their granddaughter Melissa Hams.

Together they opened a dry cleaning business and incidentally a door into a “lavish life”.

The couple had two children together, Malcolm Dewar Williams and the late Robyn Dianne Hams.

Granddaughter Melissa Hams recalls with fondness watching her grandparents on super eight footage.

“They owned a speedboat, they had a pretty lavish lifestyle,” Mrs Hams said.

“It was in the time when people would stand on each others shoulders and ski.”

She said the pair would spend time lapping the waters of the Murray River before the warm weather of Queensland called them north.

They moved in the 60s, running a caravan park near the goose ponds in North Mackay before Max moved on to manage the MVQ Television Station for several years.

Mrs Williams began work at Comet Freight and later volunteered to raise funds for the Soroptimist International Society.

And on top of it all, she was an “fantastic homemaker”.

“She was a great cook, Cornish pasties were her specialties, and Wellington and Ginger slices,” Mrs Hams said.

“We would always sneak into the pantry for more.”

Shirley Williams, of Mount Pleasant, turned 97 on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith

But running the home domain wasn’t just reserved for Mrs Williams.

“They were really ahead of their time,” Mrs Hams said.

“Grandpa used to do all the ironing, he was meticulous, washing his car every week.

“They were a really lovely couple.”

Despite losing the love of her life, Mrs Williams carried on living a robust life right until the age of 97, continuing to be a prolific socialiser and always staying busy painting china and cooking. Picture contributed by their granddaughter Melissa Hams.

Sadly, Mr Williams died after a short illness in January 2002.

Despite losing the love of her life, Mrs Williams carried on living a robust life right until the age of 97, continuing to be a prolific socialiser and always staying busy painting china, golfing and cooking.

The late Shirley Rae Williams playing golf. Picture contributed by her granddaughter Melissa Hams.

Mrs Hams said she believed the sudden and tragic death of her mother and Mrs Williams’ only daughter in June 2021 was the last straw for her grandmother.

Mrs Williams is survived by her son, 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was cremated but her memorial will be scheduled for a time when her family and friends living interstate will be able to attend.