Barbara E. Williamson

Barbara K. Williamson, age 90, of Novi, formerly a longtime resident of Northville, passed away on August 6, 2024. She was born on August 26, 1933 in Detroit; daughter of Charles and Ruth (Teagan) Kinzel.  Barb grew up in Detroit and graduated from Redford High School; class of 1951.  Following high school, she continued her education at Albion College where she earned a bachelor’s degree.  Barbara was united in marriage to Daniel R. Williamson on August 14, 1954; spending 46 years devoted to their love until his death in 2000.

Barb was a devoted homemaker who raised her family in Livonia, Rosedale Park, Lathrup Village and Northville. Working as a substitute teacher allowed her to balance her career with caring for her family. After moving to Northville, Barbara earned a special education certification and continued substitute teaching at Northville’s Cooke School. Once her children were grown, she obtained her real estate license and became a realtor for Real Estate One, co-founded by her husband. For over 30 years, she helped clients achieve the American dream of homeownership, retiring in 2010 after everyone she knew had finished buying houses.

Barb selflessly dedicated her time to many community organizations, including the Northville Country Garden Club, Northville Women's Club, and Junior Goodwill of Detroit. She volunteered at the nursery of Bushnell Congregational Church in Detroit and logged over 4,000 volunteer hours at Providence Park, earning the Volunteer of the Year award. Barb shared her knitting and quilting talents by making hats and blankets for newborns and cancer patients at the hospital and at Fox Run. She and her husband even opened their home, the renovated 150-year-old Samuel White dairy barn, for the Northville Home Tour.

Barb cherished her childhood summers at her family's cottage on Higgins Lake and ensured her own children made memories there too, and at their chalet at Sugar Loaf. She enjoyed skiing with her family, spending time on Lake Michigan, and helping construct Sugar Loaf’s second 9-hole golf course.

Barb's greatest joy came from her family and her many lifelong friendships. Weekly potluck dinners with friends, participation in a supper club in Lathrup Village, and involvement in a sewing club were central to her social life. An avid golfer and longtime member of Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville, she also engaged her competitive spirit by playing bridge, cribbage, and scrabble with family and friends. Barb loved to travel, embarking on many adventures with different friend groups, including a memorable railroad trip to ski the Rockies, and international trips with state and national realtor associations. She surrounded herself with good friends and was known and loved everywhere she went. Above all, she was a loving and caring mother, wife, and grandmother who shared a life well-lived and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Barb is survived by her loving children, Dan (Melody) Williamson, Jr., Flash Gordon (Jo Hammond) Williamson, and Hannah “HB” (Greg Koska) Williamson; her grandchildren, Lauren Williamson Lund, Joe (Lindsey) Williamson, and Dane Williamson; her great grandson Connor and great granddaughter Mia (Joe & Lindsey’s children); and her brother Charlie Kinzel.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her daughter Heather Williamson, her parents, and her sister Carolyn Delger.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Angela Hospice , 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48154.