Marie Torgersen Williamson

In the typical obituary, words would be committed to tell the story of how

Marie Torgersen Williamson

lived.

And that story would be familiar to everyone whose life she had touched in her 97 years. She was a woman of great faith. A devoted sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. A woman of unwavering loyalty, compassion and kindness. She loved coffee, hairspray and her church. And everyone would remember how she loved gathering family and friends around her big dining room table to share a leisurely meal. A story is incomplete, without the details of how her deep and abiding love for the young Navy Medic, Bob Jack Williamson changed his life, and the trajectory of her own. Together they created a community, a home and a family, which now included three “favorite” daughters and three sons-in-law, 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

And the greatest blessing of their life was knowing when they departed this life bound for heaven, one day that big messy family would once again gather around a table and share long leisurely meals.

But in this obituary, words are committed to tell the story of how

Marie Torgersen Williamson

died

in the room where it happened.

CS Lewis remarked, the hallmark of the true Christian is in dying well. And Marie did.

On a morning not expected, Marie began her journey toward heaven -her home and her birthright through faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ. In this broken world, the journey began with moments of pain, despair and fear. Irreversible. No hope.

But suddenly, nothing but hope.

The final transition began. Wounds cleaned and gently dressed. Fresh cool sheets. A familiar favorite night gown. Hymns on an i-pad. Open windows usher in a summer breeze, the laughter of neighborhood children at play, a hint of her garden Sweet William, and a perch for a curious dove who seemed to understand a sense of time and place.

And then God.

So many sweet goodbyes and the unexpected intimacy of a red cell phone laid on the pillow at her head. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Then as she slept she was being transformed, of course. But we three sisters were transformed as well, as we watched this spiritual dance unfold. You could feel the Holy Spirit in that little corner bedroom of the house in which we grew up. She slept mostly. Each time she woke she’d lost more words, but her eyes seemed clearer, brighter, as if she saw something we could not see. Brief smiles. Hymns. Scripture. Prayer. A mother’s hand feeling more like a child’s now. Sudden clarity. Fearless. Peaceful. And then she began unanswered conversations over the next few hours. Mom? Are you coming here? Take me home. I’m ready now. Wait, where are we going? Where are you shining that? I love you. I know. She began to quiet. Softly, she turned to us one last time. “Ok. I am going now”. Though she didn’t right then, but as we waited for a long time in the silence listening to her less rhythmic breathing, she quietly slipped away into the arms of Christ.

And we knew, we will see you at the table, mom.

Marie Torgersen Williamson is celebrated and loved by family here and family at the table in Heaven.

Bob Jack Williamson
Hansine & Peder Torgersen
Torwald Torgersen & Dot and Bergit Torgersen Lindman & Omer

Children

Barbara Williamson Adams & Larry
Liz Williamson Tajak & Russ
Kathryn Williamson-Link & Jeff

Grandchildren

Tim & Tamara, Kristen & Jay, Meghan & Wes
Lindsay & Brad, Rob & Saidy
Steven & Natalie, Phil & Daphne, Joe and Hannah

Great-Grandchildren

Paxton, Piper, Olivia, Gable, Sloan, Madison, Kate
Judah, Eaden, Gabriel, Titus, Deacon, Abram, Matthias
Santiago, Ximena, Ireri

Special thanks to her in home caregivers Peg & Liz daily kindness and the comfort and encouragement of Angels Grace Hospice nurses in these last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Marie's honor to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 123 E. St. Charles Rd. Elmhurst, IL 60126 or https://redeemerlcms.com/

Visitation Friday, June 23, 2023 from 9:30 AM to time of service at 10:30 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 123 E. St. Charles Rd., Elmhurst, IL. Private interment to follow. For more information please contact Leonard Memorial Home at (630) 469-0032.