Isabella Williams

After several months of illness, Isabella L. Williams, 61, died at home Saturday, July 26, 2008.

Born April 21, 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Paul and Isabella Lewis, she grew up in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. In 1966, Isabella married Marc H. Williams. She was the first married woman to graduate from Princeton University, class of 1972. In 1981, the Williams family moved to Lafayette.

Isabella enjoyed a lifelong interest in business, fashion, and the arts. Over the years she was a housewares buyer for a major department store, a proprietor of a cooking school, and the owner of a women's fine clothing franchise. Most recently she enjoyed working at Melinda Risk Jewelry.

She was active in community affairs, graduated in the first Lafayette Leadership Academy class, and devoted much time and effort to the Greater Lafayette Museum of Art. Isabella was a member and served as secretary of the museum's Foundation Board. She was also president of the Museum Board. In 1992, she received the Louis Weil Award for Outstanding Service and is a Lifetime member of the Museum.

Isabella was an advocate of education. She participated in the scholarship forum, taught English and, with her husband, sponsored numerous scholarships for Purdue's Society of Hispanic Engineers.

She opened her home and heart to a number of Ukrainian exchange students. Many became part of her family, and Isabella and Marc enjoyed visiting with them on their own trips to Ukraine. This large and loving international family exemplifies Isabella's beliefs.

She is survived by her husband Marc; sons Richard (wife Sarah) of Portland, Oregon, and Juri Jatskevich (wife Natasha) of Vancouver, BC; a brother Paul of Austin, Texas; grandchildren Alexander, Meridith and Nicholas Williams; and Alexander and Elizabeth Jatskevich.

Isabella Williams loved life and treated everyone like family. She loved to laugh and brightened the lives of everyone she met. Isabella will be missed.

Friends may call from 7 until 9 P.M. today, Wednesday, at the HAHN-GROEBER FUNERAL HOME, 1104 Columbia St. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Greater Lafayette Museum of Art would be appreciated. www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com.