Anita C. Williams

Anita Williams, age 71, of West Palm Beach Florida, passed away peacefully at home on August 7, 2024, with her son and daughter-in-law by her side.

Born on January 16, 1953 to Joseph and Elizabeth Cangelosi in Newark New Jersey, she spent her childhood growing up in Union New Jersey, graduating from Union High School in 1971. After the birth of her son in 1974, she continued her education earning a bachelor’s degree from Farleigh Dickinson University and later her master’s degree in teaching. After a long career in financial services, Anita embarked on an artistic endeavor as a painter, interior designer, and later as a writer. She completed her first and only book about the riots in Newark that occurred in the late 1960s. Retiring to Florida in her mid-60s, Anita found a new passion in the sport of croquet. Always an avid fan of music, Anita encouraged us to share the song “Over the Rainbow” by Eric Clapton in her honor.

Anita is survived by her loving son Benjamin M Williams, daughter in law Melissa (Emerzian) and her two lovely grandchildren Benjamin Xavier and Ameline Cristina. She also leaves behind her brother Joseph Cangelosi (wife Louise) and his two daughters, Jennifer Reedman and Stacey Cangelosi. She was predeceased by her parents.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather for visiting hours at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Wetfield, NJ on Monday, August 12th from 6pm-9pm. Funeral services will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey on Tuesday August 13th at 11:00am.