Jean Williams

Jean Williams passed away peacefully on April 1st, 2015.
Jean was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend with an outgoing personality and incredibly unique sense of humor. She had a lightness and sharp wit about her that enabled her to make deep connections with all walks of life. She spent her life connecting with family and maintaining meaningful friendships, even up until her last day.
Jean attended Bountiful High School, where she served as student body president. She later attended Utah State University and was a proud member of the Chi-Omega Sorority, where she served as pledge trainer and made many lifelong friends. Jean married Brent Watkins in Logan, Utah on December 28, 1968.
She began a career in the library at the Deseret News, always having the goal to become a writer, which she had been doing regularly and passionately any chance she could get since she discovered her beautiful talent of writing in high school. She worked hard and demonstrated her talent as a gifted writer through freelance assignments. Through this gift and her passion for cooking, Jean became the Food Editor of the Deseret News, where she worked diligently for 10 years.
She was a well-known personality in the Salt Lake community, judging cooking contests and making memorable local television and radio appearances. She had many great opportunities to travel around the world for cooking conventions and writing courses. Jean always found a way to inject her unique sense of humor into her weekly columns and personal appearances. She relished being able to use her talents, but never wanted to take herself too seriously. She spent a lot of time teaching children and teens that it was fun to cook. She made everything relatable in sharing her love for cooking. By doing so she impacted so many people's lives and was truly adored by her readers.
Jean was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving throughout her life in various positions where she influenced many lives for good. She used her creativity and talents to write and direct several youth road shows. She taught and mentored others through her unassuming example and believed in keeping the gospel simple.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Kellie, and her parents, Janet and Dwight Jardine. She is survived by her children, Brian Watkins (Sheridan) and Jana Dubois (Brandon). Her four grandchildren, Kate (12), Jack (8), Dylan (6) and Addison (5). She is also she is survived by her brothers, they are Dwight (Nan), Mark (Shauna) and her sister Barbara (Virgil).
A special thank you to The Abbington Manor for all of the care and support she needed over the past five years. She was truly happy and comfortable there and enjoyed the company and kindness of everyone she had the chance to make her life better.
Funeral services will be held at Russon Brother Mortuary at 295 North Main Street in Bountiful, on Friday April 10. The viewing will be held from 9:30-10:45am, with funeral services being held immediately after at 11:00.