Carol Anne Williams

Portsmouth, RI - Carol Anne Walsh Williams, 61, of, Portsmouth, RI, died Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at St. Clare Home, Newport, RI. She was the wife of the late Kenneth J. Williams. Born in New York City, she was the daughter of Edward Walsh of Newport, and the late Norma Kelly Walsh.Carol worked for her entire career with the RI Court System retiring after thirty years of service. Her career began as a secretary and a court reporter in the Family Court. She worked for several years with Judge Carmine R. DiPetrillo and Judge John A. Mutter. She also worked as a freelance court reporter.After her retirement, Carol found a new passion in life in the theater. She acted and directed in several area theaters over the last 5 years, accomplishing a lifetime of work in just those few short years. Her acting began at the Newport Playhouse with Bermuda Avenue Triangle with her mentor and good friend Rick Bagley. Her work continued at the Firehouse Theater with performances in Sylvia, The Gin Game and the one woman show Shirley Valentine, for which she was nominated for best lead actress by Motif Magazine. She also received a best supporting nomination for her performance in Steel Magnolias. In Westerly, RI she performed in Crossing Delancey and Harvey at the Granite Theater. At the Courthouse Center for the Arts in West Kingston, Carol as Nurse Rachet in One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest, was also nominated for a Tristan Award. She graduated high school from St. Philomenas School in Portsmouth and received her professional training from the Providence Business School. She is survived by her father Edward Knobby Walsh of Newport, RI, her brother Christopher Walsh and his wife Nina of Coventry, RI along with several cousins. She also leaves behind her beloved cat Squeak, and will join her adored feline, Baby, in the hereafter.Calling hours will be held Sunday, April 3 from 4:00-8:00pm in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth.Her funeral will be held on Monday, April 4, at 10:30am in Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Visiting Nurse Services Of Newport Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or Robert Potter League For Animals, PO Box 412, Newport, RI 02840, or the St. Clare Home, 309 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840.