IMOGENE BRYANT WILLIAMS

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IMOGENE BRYANT WILLIAMS
October 20, 1931 - May 24, 2020

Imogene Bryant Williams passed away in Seattle, Washington, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was passionate about her family, social justice and the environment.
Imogene was born in Manilla, Philippines on October 20, 1931. She was the daughter of William Cheney Bryant and Alice Franklin Bryant. With the onset of the Second World War in 1940, Imogene was sent to live with relatives in Pasadena, CA. Her parents hid in the jungle but were captured by advancing Japanese forces and imprisoned in the Santo Tomas Internment Camp.
In 1945, thirteen-year old Imogene was reunited with her parents. They moved to Seattle to live with Alice's father, John Eddy Franklin. Imogene's political activism and sense of social justice tracked those of her mother and her grandfather. Imogene graduated from Lincoln High School, and the University of Washington, with a degree in Microbiology, magna cum laude. She received an A in the first-ever Biochemistry course offered at the UW. Imogene met Harvey Dean Williams in biology laboratory at the UW. In 1951, they married and had four children, all surviving: Ruth Alice, Rachel Eileen, Loren Dean, and Rebecca Grace Williams. In 1968, the Williams family moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where Imogene completed a degree in Education from Oregon State University and obtained a teaching certificate.
In 1971, the Williams family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where Imogene made many lifelong friendships. She was a compassionate teacher in the Ft. Garry School Division, sharing her love of science and music with her third-grade students. Imogene was a hardworking member of the NDP and the Anglican Church and a longtime supporter of refugee families. People from all over the world lived in Imogene's home on Loyola Bay.
Upon retirement, Imogene returned to her ancestral home in Seattle. Imogene was a member of the Seattle First Baptist Church, where she participated in the Interfaith Climate Action and sang in the choir.
Imogene was an evangelical bus rider. She wanted her carbon footprint to be low, especially when protesting against oil companies. Imogene said, "We want a nice planet for our kids."
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. George's Refugee Program, 168 Wilton St., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3C3.

Link to Imogene's memorial website:
https://imogenewilliams.com/

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 13, 2020