Raini Williams passed away on January 20, 2024, after a long battle with Dementia. Raini was born Lynda Allison Hawkins on November 26, 1948, in Stourport, England. She was the youngest of three children born to Lawrence (Fred) and Winifred (Winnie) Hawkins.
In 1952 her family moved to the US, where they resided in Los Angeles, California. Raini attended El Monte High School.
Raini married Patch Williams and they had two children together, daughter Phaedra (Williams) Raymond, and son, Kelly Williams. They moved from Los Angeles to Hood River, Oregon in 1970.
After they divorced, Raini and her children had many adventures together, living in Lake Tahoe, Nevada and Lahaina, Maui. Eventually they settled back in Hood River.
In 1979, Raini dialed a wrong number, and met the future love of her life, Dan Williams. After a mix up with times and believing they each were stood up by the other, Dan tracked her down. After dating a while, Dan asked Raini, Phaedra, and Kelly to move to Montana to live in a one room cabin high in the Elkhorn mountains with no running water. Believe it or not, she said yes.
In 1979, Dan and Raini were married on the site of the future home they were building. In 1981 they added to their family with the birth of their daughter, DeLacy (Williams) Humbert.
Raini worked for the State of Montana Department of Labor and Revenue for 22 years. Raini was a lover of life. She was a trainer and facilitator for a course called Investments in Excellence, which showed participants how to recognize their potential for growth, improve their self-image, overcome stress, and eliminate barriers to achieving their goals through self-motivation and positive thinking. She lived her life this way.
Raini was an eclectic woman. She was a mountain woman. Several of her homes were very remote, in the mountains, and without running water or electricity. She hauled water and wood to live. Raini was also an elegant, well-traveled, sophisticated woman. Raini loved color, often wearing bright patterned clothing, with a smile and eyes just as bright. She and Dan even painted much of their home in bright vibrant colors. Her favorite color was yellow, which fit her bright, sunny personality.
Raini loved people! Raini was a longtime member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. She was very involved and engaged with the Walk to Emmaus, a spiritual retreat hosted at St. Paul’s. She met many of her closest friends at these retreats.
Raini loved music, especially Bob Dylan, who she saw in concert several times, and even owned one of his harmonica’s he used at a show. She loved to dance, and even well into her illness, and as she became more withdrawn, she would sing the lyrics of her favorite songs, and try to dance with you when you held her hand.
Raini loved to laugh and had a quick wit, and a hilarious sense of humor. She loved to be a jokester and be silly and playful.
She was an avid reader. She could read anywhere, and even on the go, she and Dan would listen to audiobooks on their road trips. Her love of reading helped her to be a great conversationalist, and a very well-spoken person. She was small, but her words carried weight and had an impact on those around her.
Raini and Dan raised their children with a strong sense of community and generosity. They led by example, offering their time, their money, and their knowledge to many important causes and organizations.
Raini had a few very special animals in her life. Their Yorkshire Terrier, York, was very protective of her as her illness progressed, and gave her a final kiss after she passed.
Raini and Dan loved to travel, going to many places across the world to explore and engage in new experiences and cultures. They kept the most illustrative journals of their travels and experiences, that gave others a sense of their adventures, and will be family treasures for generations.
When Dan and Raini retired in 2006, they began traveling even more. They would spend months of the year traveling and the rest of the time at their beautiful log home in the Elkhorns. Eventually, they decided to settle in Bandon, Oregon, where Dan could have the freedom to breathe without continuous supplemental Oxygen for his COPD.
They had a wonderful life in Bandon and met some amazing friends. They loved walking the beaches, searching for agates, and spending time with friends. Raini and Dan volunteered with Shoreline Education for Awareness (SEA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting education and awareness of shoreline habitats and the wildlife found on the southern Oregon Coast.
In November 2022, Dan and Raini moved back to Helena to be able to spend more time with their kids, grandkids, and great grandkids before Raini’s disease progressed significantly.
Raini loved her people fiercely, especially her husband, her children, and her grandchildren. She modeled how to live life to the fullest, taking advantage of experiences, and making ourselves a little uncomfortable by stepping out of our comfort zones to grow and learn. She was an amazing example of how to be a strong, independent, kind, compassionate, inclusive, loving human being. If you had the opportunity to cross paths with Raini in even the smallest way, you were blessed by her joy, light, and love.
She was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Winnie Hawkins, her sister, Elizabeth Hawkins Pine, her mother-in-law Phyllis Williams, and her sister-in-law Carol Williams.
She is survived by her husband, Dan Williams, her brother, Laurie (Alice) Hawkins, her daughter Phaedra (Randy) Raymond, son Kelly (Bridgette Tielking) Williams, daughter DeLacy Humbert, grandchildren Zach (Kelli Dailey) Raymond, Mary (Buck) Tripp, Connor Raymond, Tristan (Kristyna Rudio) Raymond, Sealey Raymond, Mae Williams, Aneea Williams, Killian Humbert, and Rowan Humbert, brother-in-law Jim Williams, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many amazing friends.
A service will be held on February 3, 2024, at 3:00pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 512 Logan Street Helena, MT. A reception will immediately follow the service. We invite you to wear bright colors in honor of Raini’s love of color. Donations may be made in Raini’s honor to Hospice of St. Pete’s.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
3:00 p.m.
Saturday February 3, 2024
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
3:00 p.m.
Saturday February 3, 2024
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Share
Lori says
Thank you for coming into my life and sharing your wisdom.
Jenn says
Raini taught me to not take life so seriously. I will cherish her joyful spirit and her contagious smile. I will remember family gatherings, peace in the forest, bright campfires and her unconditional and ever lasting love for others. She taught me to dance in my living room and to dance through life as if no one was watching. She taught me the importance to love who you are and to love others for where they are on their own journey. She showed what an adventure life can be if you make it that. A soul that will be remembered forever and I’m so grateful she was a part of my journey.
Glenna Wortman-Obie says
Raini was a gift to all who knew her, a bright spot in any dull day, and a champion for children and animals. I’m so happy she is free in the wind now!
Anna says
Raini what a beautiful person you always were. 💕 you will be so missed.
Janice Glass says
Phaedra I’m so sorry for your your loss. I loved her obituary, she was definitely an inspiration. I’m glad she is at peace.
Sally Russell says
So sad to see she passed. Beautiful obit. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Maureen Cleary says
Her lovely obituary revealed her personality and bright outlook on life. May she be free from suffering and her family and friends comforted.
Jeff and Mary Schuller says
Dan I’m so sorry for your loss, Raini is such a beautiful soul.
Susan & Kevin Kirley says
So sorry for the loss of this beautiful woman in your lives & in our world. She was everything you said in the obit & so much more! ❤️
Killian says
This obituary was wonderful. I am so glad to have had Raini as a presence in my life. I hope she is happy, wherever she is.
Rick and Becky Bell says
Rick and I met Raini and Dan on a cruise. It was like meeting up with long lost family. We clicked instantly and headed for a wine shop for cheap wine before we set sail. We raced up and down the isles laughing all the way.
We traveled to Greece where we ran under the arch on the original
Race track at the very first Olympics. We danced down the streets of Athens after cheap white wine and Ozo, where Raini lost her ship pass. Miraculously it was found by a stranger and returned to the
Shop. We dressed up and we dressed down having fun eating at
Nice restaurants and drinking in colorful bars in Europe and Australia.
Our memories are the best of our lives and Raini was always a shining laughing sparkle.
There are no words for our deep sadness but we know she is sparkling in heaven with those people who went before her. She will sparkle forever.
We are blessed to have known her and she will be missed until we meet again.
Love you Raini.
Becky and Rick Bell
Kally (Fay) Porrini says
Dan, my heart aches for you. I am so sorry for your great loss.
Basil and Judy Cantrell. says
When we arrived here 16years ago Dan and Raini were some of the first people to welcome us. We have shared
such fun and laughter together. We love you Raini may you rest in peace.
Raini Michalowski says
I am so sorry for your loss. You do not know me, but my name is Raini and I am marrying the love of my life, Dan in October. I was trying to see if our wedding website was easy to google and found this beautiful obituary. Raini’s photo radiates joy, and from all the wonderful things written about her, it looks like she was an amazing woman who lived a full life. I felt compelled to leave this comment and say that maybe the Dans and Rainis always end up together.
I wish you peace during this time, and I know you be reunited one day. Sending you all of my love.
Chine Strobel says
She was a wonderful woman. I was always impressed with her energy and how positive she was. So happy that I had an opportunity to know her.
Cheryl Verbanac says
Very sorry for your loss Kelly. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Lisa Walker says
When I think of Raini, I think of sunshine. Sending her family love and lifting you up in prayer. I am grateful I could attend her memorial service online. It was one of the most beautiful services I have attended- of course it was. Beautiful Raini.
Lanae Vetsch says
I enjoyed working with Raini at Dept of Labor years ago. She was always smiley and outgoing. Deepest condolences to the family. May you have happy memories with your always.
Ralph Beer says
I’m sure sorry to learn of Raini’s passing, Dan. I’m glad you had her all those you spent together. Peace, my friend.
Sheryl A Teske says
I am so sorry to learn of Raini’s passing. I taught his daughter, DeLacy, at Helena High School and later worked with Dan at MDT. DeLacy and Dan sponsored my Walk to Emmaus. They are such a wonderful family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.