Miriam Williams Obituary

Miriam "Singie" Clyde Irvine Williams, passed away January 10, 2025, in White Rock, New Mexico, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law. She was 90 years old.

The youngest of three daughters of U.S. Army Colonel William Harris Irvine and Miriam Perkins Irvine, Singie spent much of her childhood in Pacific Grove, California. She graduated from Pacific Grove High School and pursued higher education at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Washington, earning an associate degree.

In 1954, Singie met and married Douglas Avery Williams in Westfield, Massachusetts. As a devoted Navy wife and mother during her husband's long submarine service career, she embraced a life of travel and adventure. Exploring the Vatican, strolling Portugal's painted palace, gambling in Monaco, wandering the streets of Edinburgh, all were treasured memories.

The couple collected New England antiques, filling their homes with warmth and history (and stressing the Navy movers who had to transport it all in the many moves such a career demanded). They traveled across Europe and particularly loved living in the village of Fulmer, in Buckinghamshire, England, while Douglas was assigned to Naval submarine Atlantic deployments and NATO duties. In Fulmer, she restored an antique pony cart and joined the British Driving Society, "pub crawling" with friends to nearby villages, and driving in the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Back in the U.S., Singie indulged in her musical talents, singing and playing the banjo as part of a folk music group called The Fake and Mumble Club, performing at the various Naval officers' clubs in the coastal communities where they lived, in Massachusetts, South Carolina, California and Virginia. When the family finally settled down in Virginia, Singie became an active member of the Princess Anne Hunt Club, where she rekindled her passion for horseback riding, foxhunting, and organizing equestrian events. She was a founder of Princess Anne Hunt Pony Club, supporting her daughter Nancy's equestrian activities and bringing her expertise in horse-care instruction to the many youth members of the club. She had what is often termed "a soft heart but an iron will," accomplishing much in her quiet way. Later, they moved to deeply rural Spring Grove, Virginia, where they enjoyed living in a restored colonial home across the James River from Williamsburg, watching with satisfaction the scores of hummingbirds that flocked to her feeders, gardening, rescuing box turtles and working together to harvest hay from the rolling fields of Oak Grove Farm.

Eventually they relocated to White Rock, New Mexico to be near their daughter and son-in-law. Their home became a center of family holiday dinners, happy times roasting marshmallows by the fireplace and watching myriad British detective programs.

After Douglas's passing in 2019, Singie continued to enjoy her life in White Rock with grace and dignity, her cherished shelter dog by her side. She is survived by her elder sister Margaret Allen, and her daughter Nancy, son-in-law John Ambrosiano, and grandchildren Laura and David.

Her warmth and vibrant spirit touched all who knew her, and may Singie's memory bring comfort to those who loved her. A memorial event will be held later in the spring.