'THE DOLL LADY'
Nearly eight years after a debilitating stroke, Anne Hall Williams left this earth on the evening of December 5th, 2022. She is survived by her husband of three decades, Rex Williams. He and the entire family want to express their gratitude to the caregivers who tended to Anne. The skill, compassion, and joy they provided are gifts beyond measure.
Anne was born on a Saturday morning in the Barnet Borough of Greater London, to Teresa Mary Collins Hall and Robert Hall. Her sister Margaret came along slightly later. It was 24 September 1938.
Today Anne's twin Margaret Knight lives in Wales. Her younger brother Geoffrey Lawrence (Jackie) lived in Scotland. He passed away a few years ago.
Both parents predeceased her in the UK, as did her cherished Aunt Bannie.
Anne's United States family consists of her husband Rex, his three adult children, five grown grandchildren, and seven-year-old Olivia.
Anne, who often went by Annie, was an outgoing person with a gift for recognizing and rehabilitating strays. Her childhood in the years during and after WWII was not easy; she was raised in Children's Homes until reaching the age of majority. Perhaps her generosity of spirit, felt by many people and animals, derived from those times.
Annie began working for a London optometrist as a young adult. At the age of 30 she emigrated to the United States. She trained as a medical assistant and subsequently worked for doctors in several specialties including ophthalmology, internal medicine, and psychiatry.
Relocating to Colorado Springs, she continued as a medical assistant. She also became serious about restoring dolls, seeking out discards at second-hand stores and gracing them with new clothes, hairstyles, and sometimes even limbs. The ensembles she made rivaled the finest haute couture. However, she made it a point of pride to use only washable fabrics!
Anne married Dr. Rex Williams on 25 Sep 1992 in Colorado Springs. They also lived in North Platte, Nebraska; Van Wert, Ohio; and Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. An invitation from Rex's brother Dave brought them to Gold Beach, where they settled in for good.
Anne's reputation as 'The Doll Lady' continued to grow. SECOND CHANCE DOLLS is what she named her business. Her designs often entailed extensive research: she did an entire series of dolls dressed as Catholic nuns from different Orders, faithfully reproducing each detail of their attire. In another instance, she sought out historically accurate fabric for a Shirley Temple doll.
In November 1993, Anne was prominently featured in DOLL CRAFTER magazine. Intrigued by a letter Anne wrote, the editor sought her out, leaving her Colorado Springs studio with not one but four signature Anne Hall Williams dolls in tow.
Artist, Adventurer, Cat Lover, Cook.
Writer, Reader, Wife, Loyal Friend.
And Definitely Brit to the End!
God bless you, Anne. We miss you.
A Memorial service is planned for a future date. In the meantime, please honor Anne's memory, if you wish, by donation to the charity of your choice.
