July 11, 1930 – March 13, 2018
Martha Williams died at age 87 on March 13, 2018 with her daughters by her side.
Born in Okanogan, Washington to Raymond and Lucile Dorsey, Martha was the youngest of three children. She grew up in Spokane attending Lewis and Clark High School. Upon graduation, Martha moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington and study Art. She stayed in Seattle following graduation from college and later met Kenny Williams, the love of her life, on a blind date. They married in 1953 and settled on Mercer Island, where they raised five daughters. Many summers were spent in Alaska working with Ken and the girls in the family seafood businesses. They enjoyed years of skiing at Crystal Mountain and escapes to Maui in the winters. Ken and Martha moved to Bainbridge Island in 2011. Ken passed away in December 2015.
Martha was an accomplished portrait and still-life painter who brought an artistic flair and keen sense of design to everything she did. She loved people and their life stories always having time to talk and listen to someone in need. Above all, she loved her family, her husband, her children, and her incredible grandchildren. She often spoke of her good fortune in life.
Martha will be greatly missed by so many who loved her. She is survived by her daughters, Chrissy McCoy (Pat) of Redmond, Karen Forsyth (Doug) of Bainbridge Island, Katsie Hirsh (John) of Gig Harbor, Joanie Ransom (Bill) of Bainbridge Island and Annie Koning (Tom) of Mercer Island. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Danny (Tina), Carlie (Kyle), Sean (Caiti), Charlie, Heidi, Angela, Austin, Ryan, Kenny, Zoe, Max, and Hayley.
A memorial service to celebrate Martha’s life will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave., Mercer Island, WA on Saturday, April 7th at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the Mercer Island Beach Club, 8325 Avalon Drive, Mercer Island, WA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Ben Towne Center at Seattle Children’s Orthopedic Hospital or a charity of your choice.
