Ann Williams, 1933-2010

Read the Revd Rebecca Newland's reflection given at Ann's funeral.

With her husband, Dr Baden Williams, Ann was part of the team that looks after our Pandora's@O'Connor used-clothing shop and took part in our Wednesday congregation.

Ann's family spoke of her love of life, literature and family, and of the web of letters and calls she wove caringly to keep her family connected to her and each other. This verse, a love poem by the author ofCharlotte's Web, was in the order of service.

A spider's web (a natural history)

The spider, dropping down from twig,
Unfolds a plan of her devising,
A thin premeditated rig
To use in rising.

And all that journey down through space,
In cool descent and loyal hearted,
She spins a ladder to the place
From where she started.

Thus I, gone forth as spiders do
In spider's web a truth discerning,
Attach one silken thread to you
For my returning.

—E.B. White (1929)