The senseless events of Sept. 11 have affected Hoboken in so many different ways. Sons and daughters have been lost, as well as mothers and fathers. One of those who was missing from that fateful day was 35-year-old Debbie Williams.
Williams and her husband have been residents of Hoboken for four years. Their daughter Payton was born at St. Mary Hospital a little over 18 months ago.
In her honor, the Debbie William Memorial Park Fund has been established to purchase new park equipment for children at Hudson County’s Columbus Park at Ninth and Clinton Street. Williams was employed at Aon corporation, an international insurance company in the World Trade Center.
Spearheading the effort to create the fund was fellow mother, neighbor and friend of the Williams family Tricia Carey. Both women were involved in the community with new mothers groups and on many afternoons would sit with their young children at Columbus Park.
"Debbie was a kind and spirited woman, who most of all loved being a mom," said Carey Tuesday. "This fund is a wonderful tribute to Debbie, as well as being a way to unite our community that has been devastated with loss."
To get the wheels rolling, Carey, with the permission of Williams’ husband and family, contacted Hudson County Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons with the idea of setting up a memorial fund. Fitzgibbons thought it was a outstanding idea and suggested that the money go to the refurbishment of Columbus Park, which is right down the street from the Williams’ Adams Street home. Currently the park is scheduled for remodeling in spring of 2002 and according to Fitzgibbons, the fund will expedite the process of purchasing new equipment for the park.
"They came to us and we thought it was a wonderful idea and we are more than willing to help," said Fitzgibbons. "This money will help provide a place for children to play so I think it is certainly fitting to honor a mother who cared so much for her daughter and her community."
Initial architectural plans and renderings were compiled earlier this month, and a dedication ceremony is anticipated for spring of 2002.
When finished, the park will be a modern state-of-the-art facility with a top-of-the-line safety surface, new climbing equipment and a water fountain in which children can play. During the dedication, a plaque will be unveiled dedicating and memorializing the playground in Williams’ honor.
"She was so amazing," said Amy Smith, a friend who knew Williams through new mothering groups and events, Thursday. "Her name still comes up everyday in conversation ’cause she did so much for people without even blinking an eye. It was hard work for her working and raising a daughter. But she did it so well and was always there for her family and friends. First and foremost, she was a mom, and now her daughter will have something to remind her of that love when she gets older."
Tax deductible donations can be sent to "The Debbie Williams Memorial Park Fund" at P.O. Box 11387 Newark, NJ 07101-4387.