In Memoriam: Pat Williams
The surface design, fiber art, and dyeing community has lost a valued member in Pat Williams, who passed away earlier this month.
Pat was a weaver, fiber artist, textile production teacher (particularly in jacquard weaving technique), and an active member of the Surface Design Association. She was the founder and moderator of the DyersLIST, an email list for textile surface design artists working with the medium of dye. Of particular note for me--Pat was bravely participating in a clinical trial for a potential treatment of pancreatic cancer, a horrific iteration of the disease which also claimed my aunt Mary Ruth this past October. I know that Pat will be much missed in so many areas of the textile community.
Here is the official obit:
Patricia A. (Pat) Williams, age 65, of Brighton and Alpena MI, passed away Thursday, December 17, at University of Michigan Hospital with family by her side. Pat was a participant in a clinical trial for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
She was born on April 19, 1944, in Corpus Christi TX, to parents Ellsworth and Charlotte Johnson, who preceded her in death. After living in several areas of the country, she settled in Ann Arbor, teaching at Eastern Michigan University as a professor of textile arts. In 1990 she married Lawrence (Larry) Stewart, the cherished love of her life, who preceded her in death. Pat is survived by her brother Rick Johnson (Sue); nephew Erik Johnson and niece Stephanie Johnson Chambrovich (Hugh); step-children Shelly and Duncan Stewart; and granddaughters Samantha Boyer, Jennie and Julee Stewart.
As a master weaver in her own right, Pat's interest was in translating the colors, forms, and textures of nature into woven works of art. A celebration of her life and art is being planned for the spring, in conjunction with the generous donation of her loom and educational support materials to Eastern Michigan University.
Condolences may be posted at Pat's online memorial guestbook.
Pat was a weaver, fiber artist, textile production teacher (particularly in jacquard weaving technique), and an active member of the Surface Design Association. She was the founder and moderator of the DyersLIST, an email list for textile surface design artists working with the medium of dye. Of particular note for me--Pat was bravely participating in a clinical trial for a potential treatment of pancreatic cancer, a horrific iteration of the disease which also claimed my aunt Mary Ruth this past October. I know that Pat will be much missed in so many areas of the textile community.
Here is the official obit:
Patricia A. (Pat) Williams, age 65, of Brighton and Alpena MI, passed away Thursday, December 17, at University of Michigan Hospital with family by her side. Pat was a participant in a clinical trial for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
She was born on April 19, 1944, in Corpus Christi TX, to parents Ellsworth and Charlotte Johnson, who preceded her in death. After living in several areas of the country, she settled in Ann Arbor, teaching at Eastern Michigan University as a professor of textile arts. In 1990 she married Lawrence (Larry) Stewart, the cherished love of her life, who preceded her in death. Pat is survived by her brother Rick Johnson (Sue); nephew Erik Johnson and niece Stephanie Johnson Chambrovich (Hugh); step-children Shelly and Duncan Stewart; and granddaughters Samantha Boyer, Jennie and Julee Stewart.
As a master weaver in her own right, Pat's interest was in translating the colors, forms, and textures of nature into woven works of art. A celebration of her life and art is being planned for the spring, in conjunction with the generous donation of her loom and educational support materials to Eastern Michigan University.
Condolences may be posted at Pat's online memorial guestbook.