WILLIAMS, Maria Theresa

Maria Theresa Williams 64, of Tucson, Arizona, passed into the hands of God on Thursday, March 25, 2010. Formerly of Vestal, New York, born to parents, Joseph and Carmella Cardello. Maria came to the United States from Graz, Austria as a young child. Maria and her husband, Thomas were married July 13, 1968 in Binghamton, New York. Maria then devoted her life to her husband and children. She and the family experienced life in many parts of the United States, finally settling in Tucson 27 years ago. She was the lynchpin after relocation in getting the family reestablished each time in a loving way; it has been reflected in the secure way her children and husband have lived life. Maria was preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Thomas; three children (and especially their spouses who loved Maria and in turn were loved by her), Jeff and Steph, Frank and Melissa, Julie and Perry, all of Tucson, Arizona; and four grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew, Kennedy and Halley; her mother, Carmella; sister, Dayus Leska; brother-in-law, Joe Leska and their families of Vestal, New York and surrounding areas. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Pius X church on Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Harry Ledwith officiating. Interment will follow at Desert Vista Catholic cemetery. Memorial remembrances can be made to the Tucson Medical Center (TMC) Foundation. The foundation may be found on the internet at or through the mail at TMC Foundation, ATTN: Gifts, 5301 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712. The family wishes to thank TMC for their kind and gentle care of Maria and the comfort and support given to family members through the many months of Maria's illness. Psalms 125:4 Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good, to the sincere at heart. Published in the Tucson Newspapers on March 30, 2010