Lauren Georgia Williams

Lauren Georgia Williams passed away on March 14 at Albany Medical Center following a brief illness. Lauren was 48 years old and a resident of Altamont for 26 years. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing.

A beautiful woman, Lauren was the light of the lives of so many people. She loved to sing, "I am woman, hear me roar. I am strong, I am invincible," and she truly was.

Lauren embraced life in a way that allowed her to accomplish so much, find joy in ordinary moments, and touch the lives of everyone around her. She was a proud graduate of Shaker High School, Class of 1998. She went on to 20 years of award-winning employment at Mail Fulfillment Services of the Center for Disability Services and participated in CFDS Day Programs, both at New Karner Road and the Smith Center, throughout her adult life. Among her many gifts, her fluency in ASL allowed her to teach sign language to children and adults and to connect with members of the hearing-impaired community.

She loved to travel anywhere, but especially Boston, Disney World, and Naples, Florida. Lauren found joy in frequent manicures, sunsets and the moon, trips to Dunkin' Donuts, Mariah Carey's "Hero," flowers, the TV shows "Cheers," "Friends," and "I Love Lucy," and she loved money! She especially loved celebrating her birthday-beginning to plan the next one as soon as the last had ended. In true Lauren fashion, she always remembered the birthday of each member of her family.

Lauren was the beloved daughter of Donna Lamkin Faddegon (Art Gravina) and George Oscar Williams (Charlene Summa). She was predeceased by her stepfather, John Faddegon. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her loving siblings Todd Williams (Amy), JoAnn Williams (Norman Englehardt), Susan Williams-Germain (Jason), and Robert Williams (Barbara Rain); her much-loved niece Ashley Regan (Kyle), nephew Evan Williams, and great-nephew Jude Regan. Lauren is also survived by her devoted staff and friends at 150 Western Ave and her day programs, who cared for her with such attentiveness, respect, warmth, and kindness for decades-helping her to thrive and live her very best life.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated for Lauren on Friday, March 20 at 10:00am in Saint Matthew's Church, 25 Mountainview St, Voorheesville. Family and friends are invited and may visit Lauren's family Thursday, March 19 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Fredendall Funeral Home, 199 Main St., Altamont.

We kindly ask that you make a gift in Lauren's memory to the Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center at the Center for Disability Services Foundation at 314 South Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208.