Lorenda Lee Williams

Lorenda Lee Williams On February 6th, 1974, Lorenda Lee Williams would be born to James and Lorraine Williams in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Lorenda was the youngest of seven children. She would attend Project CDA for her Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years of high school, but would ultimately graduate at Coeur d’Alene High School in 1992. She always had the impression that graduating from an alternative school would tarnish her ability to get a job, but once she was older, she quickly realized that a diploma was a diploma; nobody cared where you got one. During her attendance at school, she would write a letter to a member of the military through a sort of “Pen Pal” program. The two would develop a friendship that would eventually blossom into a romantic relationship. That person would be Robert Herman, a member of the United States Air Force stationed in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield. Once out of the military, Lorenda would go on to marry Robert in November of 1993. While married, the couple would bear two children: Skyler and Chantel Herman, born in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Lorenda would grow to love her children more than anything else in the world and at the time, she would say her family was finally complete. Unfortunately, her relationship with Robert would undergo turmoil and the two would separate in 1999 but her love for her children would never waver. Later in life, she would rekindle a friendship with Robert, and once again, their little family would be complete. Lorenda enjoyed many hobbies. She loved to garden and was eager to display how she was able to decorate the back patio with such limited space. She took great pride in how her patio looked so much better than her neighbors’. Lorenda definitely had a competitive side. That’s probably where her son got his. She also enjoyed camping. She loved the feeling of being one with nature and relished in walks through the woods. Her favorite camping spot was around Lake Pend Oreille at Whiskey Rock Bay, a locale her family would go during the summer when she was a child. But above all else, Lorenda adored spending time with her children. She developed a passion for board gaming, a hobby her son enjoyed very much. She enjoyed watching movies with her kids whether in the theaters or right at home. One of Lorenda’s favorite locations to visit was Manito Park in Spokane. The gardens were always breathtaking to her and she would take her children just about every year, around May or June, when all of the beautiful flowers were in full bloom. Lorenda also had a passion for music. You could always find her humming a tune throughout the day and you bet she was dancing like a goof to her favorite song on the radio. Music was so critical to Lorenda. She loved to play her keyboard and was eager to show her children how much progress she was making. Music was her way of expressing her many emotions that constantly fought inside her head. It allowed her to relieve the stress of everyday life in a way that everyone could benefit from. Some of her favorite artists included Miley Cryus, Adele, Daniel Powter, Elton John, The Beatles, Live; the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, Lorenda would lose her father and three of her siblings throughout her life. Tony, her third eldest brother, would pass away in 1975 when Lorenda was only a baby. Rob, the eldest brother, would pass in 1993. Lorenda’s father, Jim, would pass away in 1999. And Finally, in 2019, Lorenda would lose her second eldest brother, Steve. Lorenda Williams would ultimately pass away on September 12th, 2021 at the age of 47 years old. She passed while caring for her mother, Lorraine, in the small apartment they shared in Hayden, Idaho. With Lorenda’s passing, she can finally rest peacefully with her late father and brothers. Some of her ashes will be spread at Whiskey Rock Bay, along the beach of Lake Pend Oreille where Rob and Jim rest. Some of her ashes will be forever cherished around her children’s necks in the form of necklaces. Some will stay in her son’s leg as a tattoo: a tribute to her favorite animal in the world, the sea turtle. And finally, the last of Lorenda’s ashes will remain in her sea turtle urn which is to stay in her most treasured china cabinet. On September 12th, 2021, we lost a loving daughter. A daughter who cared for her dearest mother, Lorraine, as her memory started to fade. We also lost a sister that, even through all the bickering, still cared and loved her three remaining siblings very much. On that day, we lost a friend. One who consoled people whenever they needed the support. Someone who you could always have a great time around. We lost an aunt that would never get to see her niece’s new born daughter, someone she was so eager to meet. And lastly, we lost a mother who showed so much compassion for her beloved children above all else. A mother that would go to the ends of the world to be with her kids. We lost plenty on September 12th, but we also gained plenty too. We gained a new sentiment for our memories that we shared with her. We gained the ability to share those memories with others who cared for her. And hopefully, we gained an appreciation for the finite time that we have to spend with one another each and every day.