Grandmother, mother, passionate advocate for wildlife conservation

On Wednesday, December 23, 2020, Diana Colladay Williamson, beloved by all who knew her, died at age 83 in Montclair.

The daughter of a diplomat, she was born Diana Ramsay Colladay in Switzerland and spent her early years living all over the world, including in Trinidad and Spain. At age 19, she met and married Robert Emmet Williamson while they were both attending the University of Arizona; together they had three children.  

Diana was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation, and every living thing she turned her attention to flourished and grew. She possessed a keen, singular intelligence, and her mind remained sharp until the end of her battle with Parkinson’s disease.

She was a faithful member of the Catholic Church and attended mass regularly at Our Lady of the Assumption in Claremont for as long as she was physically able.

She is survived by her children Brian, David and Joan; grandchildren Heather, Jasper, Alex and Emma; and Robert, the father of her children. 

Ms. Williamson was preceded in death by her parents Nina and Montgomery Colladay, and her twin sisters Jean Rodin and Joan Holtz.  

She was cremated, and her ashes will be scattered in a small private ceremony in the Claremont area, at a date to be determined.