Lasting Memories

Medill 'Toby' Williams
Feb. 8, 1940-Dec. 20, 2017
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Alan Cooper

Toby Williams, 77, a 46-year resident of Palo Alto, died peacefully on Dec. 20, 2017, from complications of Parkinson's Disease and the flu.

Medill “Toby” Teddington Hanna Williams was born in San Francisco to Betty and Joe Hanna, and spent her first two years there with the rest of her childhood in Menlo Park. With her San Francisco firefighter grandfather, she and her extended family spent summers at Camp Meeker, Sonoma County.

At Menlo-Atherton High School, she was yearbook editor. After graduating from Stanford University in 1961, Toby married Russell (Rusty) Williams. They raised children Keira and Thad around the U.S. and built a house in the Santa Cruz mountains. After a 1971 divorce, Toby and children moved into an Eichler home in Palo Alto. In 1978, she met Alan Cooper and in 1984 they moved into an Old Palo Alto Craftsman house.

Toby’s career included jobs as executive assistant and book editor. She found her calling as a residential real estate appraiser in the San Francisco and Peninsula region.

Outside of work, she spent many years as photographer for the California Pops Orchestra, singing with Peninsula Women’s Chorus, leading a ukulele group, and serving on the Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, overseeing landscaping and grounds enhancement.

Toby was a voracious reader and had a wonderful mastery of the English language. Her interests included photography, music, drawing, painting, architecture and the Italian language. She loved to implement ideas on home and garden renovation, and she loved the outdoors, making day trips to the ocean with her beloved dogs. Toby was always up for physical adventure including swimming, hiking, ropes courses and snow skiing. She was an avid and intrepid traveler with Alan, from car camping with kids to independent international car, train and boat trips.

Toby treasured family get-togethers and was always eager to help friends and family. She was a 20-plus-year member of her church family, actively participating in and learning from social and covenant group activities. Even after her Parkinson's diagnosis, she was able to become a Stephen Minister, devote herself to meditation and other spiritual practices, and attend church regularly. She was an avid fan of dogs, always owning one and loving to watch them play.

Toby is survived by Alan Cooper, her partner of 40 years, her daughter Keira Williams, son Thad Williams; stepsons Brian Cooper and Owen Cooper, one grandchild, and her dog, Foxy.