2017 -- S 0625

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LC002142

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE HALEY AND WILLIAMS FAMILIES

ON THE PASSING OF JEAN HALEY AND MARTHA WILLIAMS

     Introduced By: Senators Coyne, and Conley

     Date Introduced: March 23, 2017

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island citizens were shocked and struck with overwhelming grief

when they learned of the tragic passing of twin sisters Jean Haley and Martha Williams on

Saturday, March 4, 2017. They will be sorely missed by their families and friends, but will live

on eternally in the hearts of all who knew and loved them; and

     WHEREAS, Martha Young Williams was born on November 3, 1919, entering the world

ten minutes ahead of her twin sister Jean. Both were daughters of the late L. Douglas Young and

Louise Young. Martha attended Hope High School in Providence and then Lincoln School in

Providence, graduating in 1939. She attended Bradford College where she played tennis, was in

the glee club, and performed modern dance, but unfortunately had to give up dance and tennis

due to having a rheumatic heart; and

     WHEREAS, Martha, after college, attended the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School and

became engaged to Charles Roger Williams, Jr., whom she married one year later and remained

married to for sixty-one years until his passing. He was a member of the Air Force at that time

serving our nation overseas in World War II. When he returned home, they moved to Vermont

before they settled in Rhode Island to raise their three children. Martha was a member of the

Junior Women's Club, served on various civic committees, and was an active member of the

Barrington Women's Republican Club; and

     WHEREAS, Jean Young Haley was also born on November 3, 1919, the fraternal sister

of Martha Young Williams. Jean was a graduate of Hope High School and attended the Rhode

Island School of Design. She was also a graduate of the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. She

was the beloved wife of the late John W. Haley, Jr., and was a devoted mother to her children.

She loved to read, do the daily crossword puzzle, and take long drives in her Cadillac, often

visiting the local Dunkin Donuts and Newport Creamery establishments; and

     WHEREAS, Martha Young Williams and her sister Jean Young Haley were inseparable

throughout their ninety-seven years of life. They were beloved figures in the Bristol and East Bay

community who could be seen frequently taking leisurely drives around town and frequenting

their favorite dining places such as Eats Restaurant in Seekonk, the Lobster Pot and Redlefsen's

Rotisserie in Bristol. Martha and Jean never failed to make quite the impression with restaurant

staff members with their charming chatter and friendly demeanor. They were members of the

Barrington Yacht Club and enjoyed boating around Narragansett Bay, Block Island, Martha's

Vineyard and Nantucket. They were an irreplaceable part of the East Bay community and will be

sorely missed by all who knew them; and

     WHEREAS, Perhaps the ultimate measure of the value of a person is the impact they

made on the lives of those closest to them. Martha and Jean were the heart, soul and anchor of

their families and they will live on forever in the memories of their loved ones. Perhaps Nate

Haley, grandson of Martha, summed it up best about these two wonderful women when he stated

that "These two women are the epitome of the 'right way' to live your life. They made everyone

that they met feel special, and truly connected with those that were lucky enough to have the

courses of their lives intersect. I will forever live my life in a way that emulates their spirit,

character, vigor, and never-ending drive for happiness"; and

     WHEREAS, Martha Young Williams was predeceased by her husband, Charles Roger

Williams, Jr. She leaves behind her three children, Susan, Douglas and Charles. She also leaves

behind her daughter-in-law Terri Pound Williams, her five grandchildren Maxwell Charles,

Nicholas Douglas, Charles Edward, Ethan Douglas, Connor Young, her step-grandchildren, and

great-granddaughter Breanna Williams; and

     WHEREAS, Jean Young Haley was predeceased by her husband, John W. Haley, Jr. She

leaves behind her three sons, William D. Haley and his wife, Suzanne, John W. Haley III and his

wife, Jessica, and Dwight R. Haley and his wife, Jocelyn. She also leaves behind her

grandchildren, Pasha Superbie and her husband, Pietro, Sarah Robinson and her husband,

Derrick, Robert Haley, Jaclyn Haley Daigneault and her husband, Michael, and Nathan Haley.

She also leaves behind her six great-grandchildren, her sister, Mary; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby extends its deepest

condolences to the Williams and Haley Families on the passing of Martha Young Williams and

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Jean Young Haley; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Families of Martha Young Williams and

Jean Young Haley.

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LC002142

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