Jane Elaine Williamson

Jane Elaine Williamson passed away on August 15th, 2022 in Buffalo Wyoming. She died peacefully from a sudden cardiac event surrounded by the love of her sister Marilyn Novotny. Jane had been visiting for her annual trek to Buffalo where she was born and raised. She spent every August in Wyoming for the Johnson County Fair and Rodeo, trips to the Novotny cabin in Dubois, and the annual family reunion where she dined on fried chicken from the Dash Inn and swapped old stories of the past and celebrated new generations of the Pierson clan.

Jane was born on March 2, 1938, in the Buffalo home built by her father, Charles Joseph Pierson Jr., and mother, Jennie Sheperd Pierson. The home on N. Adams was the gathering place for the Pierson clan, especially at fair times. Jane loved planning annual reunions and the family portraits we took sitting on hay bales out the back of Grammy’s house are a treasure Jane gave us for future generations. She graduated from Johnson County High School in 1956. Jane graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1960 with a degree in elementary education, followed the Pokes to most football bowl games, and loved being a Tri-Delta. She was the only person who could sing every word to Rag Time Cowboy Joe! It was so incredibly special for her to have spent time last week with her college alums.

Jane raised her family in Sunnyvale, California after Control Data moved the software division from Minnesota to a new and budding place called “Silicon Valley.” Jane loved being in the warm climate. She immersed herself in the culture by learning how to dry apricots, playing golf during the week at Sunken Gardens, and creating jean purses sold at art and craft fundraisers. 

When teaching jobs became scarce in the 80s she started her new career path up the executive assistant/secretarial ladder. She was a consummate professional known for her meticulous recordkeeping and dedication to the executives she supported beginning at Signetics and ending at Symmetricom. She was also well known in the Real Estate community of Woodside where she worked many Saturdays over the past 20+ years.

Volunteering and giving to her community was an important part of her life’s adventures. She gave her time to Sunnyvale Community Services for decades until she passed. She used her creative skills to make Sunnyvale Metro pennants during her son’s heyday as a baseball player. Jane created beautiful works of embroidery, and her sewing skills were used as she made all the dresses her daughter wore to the annual Sunnyvale Rainbow Girls conventions. Jane had been a member of the Job’s Daughters, Daughter of the American Revolution, Delta Delta Delta Sorority, and the University of Wyoming Alumni Association. There was rarely a night where she was not at an event at De Anza College Flint Center, Sunnyvale Community Players, and the Performing Arts Center (and many, many others too many to name!).

Her grandchildren were her world Jane was an active participant in every hobby, school activity, athletic teams, and fundraiser (her famous line when a grandchild would call to take her order was “how much $ do you need to get the prize you want”). Her passing leaves a huge hole in those kids’ hearts and lives. 

This obituary wouldn’t be complete without the mention of her other passions: the San Francisco Giants, Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49ers, San Jose Sharks, Michigan State, Stanford University baseball, and of course the Pokes. She was the mastermind behind our family “Thanksgiving at Golden Gate Fields Turf Club” event she planned for decades. Jane’s presence at her many bridge groups will be really hard for those ladies who she loved (and often beat at her favorite card game!). She was a proud member of the Committee (COA, ZT, Pansy, and Jane) who would hold their weekly Board meetings at the Outback in Cupertino. Again, legendary. Everything that Jane Williamson was part of was legendary and unforgettable. 

She is survived by her sister; Marilyn Novotny, a sister-in-law Janet Pierson, her children; Julie Threet and Joe Williamson, her daughter-in-law; Lisa Williamson, her grandchildren; Joe, Taylor, Hanna and Riley, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who will always remember Auntie Jane.  She was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother Joe Pierson and her brother-in-law, Dr. Bill Novotny Jr.

The family will have a private celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following organizations that were close to Jane’s heart. 

Buffalo Hospice Services – Susie Bowling Lawrence Hospice at 497 West Lott, Buffalo, WY 82834

ALS Association (In Memory of Jane’s Brother – Joe Pierson)Sunnyvale Community Services