Freda Irene Williamson passed away on June 5, 2022. She was the loving wife and fellow adventurer of Leslie David Williamson, Jr.
She was preceded in death by her parents, U.S. Army Captain James Wm. Strange, and Freda B. Strange; her brother, James Myron Strange; and daughter-in-law, Linda L. Williamson.

She is survived by her three children, L. David Williamson, III, of Front Royal, Virginia; Denise I. Wagner and husband Bruce, of Annapolis, Maryland; and Donna L. Williamson, of Athens, Alabama. The five surviving grandchildren are Luke D. Williamson, and sister Leigh Williamson White, of Front Royal, Virginia; Danielle Wagner Bright, of Annapolis, Maryland; and PA Army National Guard Sergeant Andrew Orsini, and Matthew Orsini, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania; and two great-grandchildren, Roman Luke White, and Wally Lee Williamson.

Irene was born in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, on August 8, 1935, into a military family. Two months prior to Pearl Harbor her family left Hickam Field, Hawaii, and landed in Spokane, Washington, just in time to witness the advent of WW II. During their early school years, Irene and her brother took an active role in collecting items to be recycled for the war effort, and had a keen interest in the war, under the care of their mother, while their father was stationed in New Caledonia, South Pacific.

Irene was a 1953 graduate of East High School in Denver, Colorado, and continued on to two years at Colorado A & M College, where she met David, married in 1956, and started a family. For the next 14 years, Irene raised her family, was an active member of the League of Women Voters, and was a Den Mother, Girl Scout leader, and a Daughter of the Nile. In 1970 she returned to her college studies, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Behavioral Science at the University of Southern Colorado, and then a Master of Art in Management. Using her public health education, she then was employed at the American Public Health Association in Washington, D.C., the American Cancer Society, and the American Lung Association. Irene was also a member of Job's Daughters and Eastern Star.

Upon retirement, Irene joined David on their 37' sailboat for many cruises on the Chesapeake Bay, and then trips on the Eastern Waterway to Florida and the Bahama Islands. These trips led to an interest in Florida, and they moved to Daytona Beach. They were members of the Auxiliary at the Halifax Health Center for several years, and members at Port Orange Presbyterian Church. Irene became a Deacon in 2015.

Services will be added at a later date.

Condolences for the family can be shared below on Irene's Guestbook.

Donations

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Port Orange Presbyterian Church, the American Lung Association, or the Alzheimer's Association.