Janice Laurel Williams

Janice Laurel Williams, age 76, beloved daughter of the late Laura and Thomas Williams of Gary, Indiana, died peacefully on November 5, 2023, after months of declining health. Janice lived her entire life in the house her parents and grandparents built in the Miller Beach neighborhood. Her home was filled with the treasures and antiques that they collected, many from travels to England. Despite her health challenges, she was fiercely determined to stay in the home she loved, and she did! Janice attended St. Mary of the Lake grade school, Andrean High School in Merrillville, and St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, where she made many friends that love and care for her to this day. At St. Mary’s, she was known for her sharp (and often inappropriate) wit and her love of English literature. She was still known for both when she passed away. After graduating from St. Mary’s College, Janice spent months traveling through England and living for a time with her cousin there. After she returned, she taught English at Bishop Noll in Hammond and St. Thomas More in Munster. She then had a career in advertising in Chicago that she truly enjoyed. Janice often talked about how she loved taking the train into the city every day, walking up Michigan Avenue in her high heels, and shopping. Janice loved shopping! She was diagnosed with MS while in her early 30’s. This disease defined much of her life right up until the end. But Janice never gave into it. She remained fiercely independent, drove her car to appointments, grocery shopped, cooked fabulous meals, and visited friends. When she could no longer do that, her friends came to her, and kept in touch by phone. She never lost her zest for life, her love of cooking, or her voracious appetite for books (especially mysteries). One of the great loves of Janice’s life was her pets, dogs, and cats galore over many years. Her last cat, Annie, was a stray kitten that Janice nursed back to life and was her dear friend for twenty years. Janice leaves behind a collection of loyal friends from all phases of her life: her St. Mary’s College girlfriends, numerous doctors, and nurses at St. Mary Medical Center (Hobart), and her wonderful caring neighbors, without whom these past months would have been even more difficult. We will miss you, Janice, but never forget you! Rest in peace, dearest friend. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Lake Church, 6060 Miller Avenue, Gary IN. Lunch to follow mass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary of the Lake Church. Inurnment at Oak Hill Cemetery. Burns Funeral Home, Hobart, IN, entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com

Janice Laurel Williams

April 17, 1947 - November 5, 2023