I am really happy to be able to honor my friend and someone I consider an authentic role model for sticking close to God: Patia Williams.

I first met Patia when Lily and Autumn were very young. Jill Gomez, who also had daughters my girls’ ages—we became members together—had been using Patia for childcare. Patia was right there with us providing childcare at the meetinghouse and personally.

When I attended School of the Spirit and was away a week at a time, Lily was in half-day kindergarten. When a local childcare center was too overwhelming, I hired Patia to pick up Lily, make her lunch, and stay the afternoon. She was not merely a child caregiver. She was a teacher who let Lily explore with art, her senses, numbers, and letters. Yet she also knew Lily needed transition time after a classroom of thirty kids.

Patia has been a constant in my and my children’s life, as well as the meeting. She is far more than a nurturing, beloved caregiver. She is a bright spirit who has the ability to constantly listen to Spirit. She has shown me the way. Patia loves God, music, her dog Stormy, puzzles, and nurturing young children and people.

It was exciting when Patia moved into her first house, a former church, and so appropriate. Cincinnati Friends Meeting (CFM) held a painting party to give her living room a fresh look. Other members have helped with repairs and maintenance over the years.

She has fought her whole life to be independent. I can only imagine God was with her as she lay in her house for several days after a recent stroke. Then she exceeded all expectations for recovery. God has Patia in the palm of her hand.

CFM member Barb Napier has been a longtime supporter of Patia. She and the We Care Committee took wonderful care of Patia after the stroke.

We love Patia and are truly grateful for her time at the meeting as a caregiver and emissary of God. Thank you!

After decades of service to CFM, Patia Williams recently stepped down as childcare provider for our meeting. On February 18, 2024, we honored Patia with these words from Cathy Barney and a presentation of cards from the children Patia has so lovingly cared for, along with notes of appreciation from their families and others in the meeting.

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