Mary Francile Williams
My Beloved Grand Aunt
March 3rd post of Ancestral Women 31-Day Challenge honoring one of my women ancestors. Join me and add one of yours, too.
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MARY FRANCILE WILLIAMS (September 15, 1905-October 10, 1977) was my grandaunt, the most beloved of all my grandaunts. She was one of many second mothers in my life. She was creative; an avid reader; helped me with my homework; taught me how to crochet, played the piano and pianola, and assisted with my piano lessons.
Francile, as she was known in the family and the community in which she lived, never married and never worked outside the home. She was well known in the community as being one of the most intelligent and friendliest members of the family and in the community.
Mary Francile was the fourth daughter of Willie and Mary E. Williams. She was born with rickets,
a bone disease that occurs in children due to a deficiency in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus. It leads to soft and weak bones which can result in deformities and fractures.
This affected her legs more than any other part of the body. She was the shortest of her sisters, barely 4ft tall. Her legs bowed forward instead of outward. As she aged, climbing stairs was extremely difficult for her. Though this was the case, she insisted on maintaining her bedroom which was on the second floor of the family home. She continued to move within the house with little difficulty but rarely left the home because walking was difficult.
The deformity in her legs caused other children to make fun of her. This led her parents to remove her from the private Haines Normal and Industrial Institute (She’s the 3rd girl from the right on 1st row in the picture below.) and place her in Immaculate Conception Catholic School.
The Catholic School student population was smaller and provided more protection in terms of badgering and derogatory comments from other students. The priest and nuns were more controlling than teachers at Haines Institute though the latter were strict, too.
Mary Francile graduated near the top of her class. After graduating from high school, she focused on teaching other family members and friends. She also loved drawing and sewing and spent time strengthening those skills.. She was always available to assist when in came to education and music, both passions of hers. She often played the pianola and the piano to relax, both of which were available in the home.
I am grateful to have had Mary Francile Williams as my grand aunt and one of my mother figures. The love and attention she poured into me helped shape the woman I am today. Her spirit is still with me, and I feel the love.
This is a beautiful tribute. I am so envious of the many beautiful family photos you have.