Jennifer C. Williams

Jennifer Christine Williams passed away on October 31, 2006 in her own home. She was born to Mary Rates Gallagher on December 4, 1972 in Sault Ste. Marie. Jennifer was a ray of sunshine to so many people. She believed that each day was a gift from God and not to be wasted. God blessed her with so many talents and through Him did those blessings flow. Her children were the pride of her life and she included them in everything she did. The legacy she leaves her children is great. She gave love to all people even when she didn't feel loved herself. She gave hope to so many even when she was greatly burdened. She gave shelter to people even though she knew she would be judged for it. She gave to the rich and poor alike, even though her gifts were humble. Every day she shared God's gifts to her. She loved to sing with her children and did it often. She loved painting and drawing and crafts and shared her abilities with so many. She showed her kids that even though one doesn't have much money, that with your heart and mind you can still give. Animals were another of her passions and she had an amazing ability to communicate with them. She trained horses and loved her horse Jetta as much as one of her family. She held dog training classes, and taught horseback riding. She took in stray animals and nursed wild animals back to health. She taught her children to respect all God's creatures. She was a 4-H leader and took them caroling each year along with her own kids. She made sure to include the elderly and the children made gifts for them. Jennifer gave her time when she had no time for herself. She even wrote beautiful poetry and had many copyrighted. Her greatest passion was for people that were homeless and the less fortunate. She was a Case Manager for the Sault Housing Commission until last year, and helped to develop the Safe Haven Program for the homeless. In 2004, she won the Greenleaf Award at the Affordable Housing Conference in Lansing. The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness presented this prestigious award to a person who gives more than 100 percent to the homeless or those close to being. She was a mediator through the Dispute Resolution Center and a Family Support Person for Habitat for Humanity. Jennifer included her children when volunteering through the area and with the Safe Haven Program. Jennifer leaves behind five beautiful children: Becca age 15, Samantha age 13, Robert age 12, Marissa age 9, and Daniel age 7; her loving parents Dan and Mary Gallagher; sisters Amy Logeman and Lori Rates; brother Dusty Rates; dear friends Matt Casey, Marc Fournier, Jen Gamelin, Kami Avery, and Julie Hesselink. A funeral service will be held at Holy Family Church, 15 Mile Rd. in Barbeau. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. and the service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 3, 2006 with Brother John Hascall officiating. A luncheon will be provided after the service.

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Jennifer C. Williams

December 4, 1972 - October 31, 2006