Ellen Jeanne Williams

Ellen Jeanne (Euclide) Williams, 75, of Southfield, Michigan passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on April 28, 2025 after a difficult battle with glioblastoma. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, she was strong of heart and spirit and faced her devastating diagnosis with optimism and hope for a miracle until her final breath. She will be immeasurably missed by all who loved her. Ellen was born on March 17, 1950 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to the late Francis Joseph Euclide and Adrienne Marie (Guyon) Euclide. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters Camille Van Lanen and Adrienne Grun, both of whom also battled glioblastomas; as well as her father-in-law, Lawson Tom Williams, and mother-in-law, Bobbie Sue Williams; and her brother-in-law Harry Grun. Ellen graduated from Madison Area Technical College in 1971 with an Associate's degree in Dental Hygiene and immediately began a career that would last fifty years, a milestone of which she was fiercely proud. She moved to Detroit in 1975 and soon met Steven Williams, whom she always described as her soulmate, often telling the story of their first kiss that made her feel she'd always known him. They married in 1979 and had two children, Maria in 1981 and Jesse in 1985, and raised them in the Southfield home where they lived for more than forty years. In 1998 they joyfully welcomed Steven's biological daughter, Shannon, who was born in 1971 and adopted by loving parents, into their family. Ellen frequently said that the only thing she ever really wanted to do with her life was become a mother, so one can imagine her delight in the blessing of a bonus daughter so late in the game. She was endlessly proud of her children and grandchildren, often saying they were, "some of my best work!" In addition to being a caring and skilled dental hygienist, Ellen was a talented gardener, an avid reader, an excellent cook, and a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan. She loved music and always had her favorite songs playing at home and on long car trips, and often sang to her hygiene patients while she worked. She enjoyed Mexican food and margaritas, walks with good dogs and cuddles from purring cats, and spending time with her family and friends. She took pride in a job well done. She was a public library enthusiast and a lifelong blood donor. A woman of great faith, she prayed daily to Saints Francis, Jude, and Joseph on behalf of those she loved, and her loved ones' loved ones (and probably also their loved ones!). Most importantly, she taught her children to be loving, forgiving, hardworking, kind, and generous. She was herself the best example of those traits that many people knew. Ellen is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Steven Williams, of Southfield, MI; daughter Maria (Michael Sheppard) Williams, of Detroit, MI; son Jesse (Jessica) Williams, of Warren, MI; stepdaughter Shannon (Daniel) Wiegand of Warren, MI; grandchildren Joseph Wiegand, Hannah Wiegand, Issac Paavo, Jackson Paavo, and Andrew Paavo, of Warren, MI; sister Annette Fuller of Osh Kosh, WI; brother Francis Joseph (Beverly) Euclide, of Manitowoc, WI; sister Mary (James) Michaud, of Sturgeon Bay, WI; brother-in-law William Van Lanen, of Neenah, WI; sister-in-law Georgana Gersabeck, of Rochester Hills, MI; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues. Ellen's family will receive guests for visitation on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at William Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, 705 W. 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, Michigan from 2:00-8:00 PM. A sharing of memories will take place at 6:30 PM. On Thursday, May 8, 2025 she will lie in state from 9:30 AM until the time of Funeral Service at 10:00 AM at Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, Michigan. Following cremation, her remains will be entrusted to her family for private disposition. Ellen loved flowers so floral gifts will be received with gratitude, but donations in her memory are also welcome by one of the many causes she supported throughout her life, particularly the Friends of Southfield Public Library, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the American Red Cross, and the Glioblastoma Foundation.

Ellen Jeanne Williams

March 17, 1950 - April 28, 2025