"To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected"

LUKE 12.48

Irene Williams, of Saratoga, California passed away on December 6, 2023, at the age of 81, beloved wife of Gregg Williams for 46 years.  Irene was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 17, 1942, one of five daughters and two sons born to humble and progressive parents, Juan and Maria de Leon, who stressed education.

Irene attended Sidney Lanier High School where she excelled in her studies and was super involved in many activities on and off campus. Irene was accepted into the Blue Jackets Drill Team and soon found herself running for and being promoted to Captain of the Drill Team.  This is an organization that is part of the Lanier High School tradition.  The main purpose of this group is to give great support to the athletic department.  Her commands to the team were unforgettable, her team marching to every beat, and as was her nature, leaving an impressive mark.

She was passionate about family and helping people. So, no surprise when after graduation she decided to pursue a career in nursing, launching a long and distinguished career.  She graduated nursing school in San Antoino and worked at the Baptist Memorial Hospital.  During one of her vacation trips she decided to visit California – echoing her words "I fell in love with San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean, the bay and California itself. It was breathtaking!"  Therefore, she never returned to reside in San Antonio, a Californian was born, and her new career was just beginning.

Once in California she immediately secured employment at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she earned a nursing degree in a profession she truly enjoyed, Nursing.  Being bi-lingual, coherent in Spanish and extremely active, eager to try new approaches she embraced the challenge to go to Mexico to assist with the program Nurses without Borders.  Something she truly loved doing.  She pursued her studies in the various capacities that were open to her, receiving a nursing degree from San Jose State.  Irene was employed for many years in many aspects of the nursing profession. She worked for CompreCare Health, Santa Clara County, Kaiser Permanente.  Her last nursing experience was with CNA, a company she truly enjoyed working for. Her passion for helping people continued until her retirement.

Irene was a great beauty, unforgettable, projecting self-confidence, authority, enthusiasm, and effectively used these traits to leading and motivating people.  She will be direly missed by all her family and friends.

Irene is preceded in death by her father Juan de Leon, her mother Maria de Leon, her brother Juan "Cana" de Leon Jr., Brother Carlos de Leon, Sister Mary Blankenship.

She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years Gregg Williams, brother-in-law Hal Williams and wife Pam, brother-in-law Patrick Williams and wife Vicki, sisters Olga de Leon-Schulman, Yolanda Nock, DiAnna King and husband Bill, sister-in-law Estella de Leon, numerous nephews and nieces to include grand and great grand nephews and nieces.

Irene was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Saratoga, California, a city she called home and truly loved living there.  A private family service will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the American Diabetes Association.