GORHAM -

Kathleen Marie Williams (Carland), 68 years old, of Gorham, ME passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Friday, January 23, 2026 after a 6-month battle with lung cancer.

Kathleen (Kathy) was born on October 11, 1957 in Portland, ME to parents Edward B. and Anita J. Carland. She was the 4th child in a family of eight children and was celebrated as the first daughter. Kathy graduated from Deering High School and continued to pursue her education initially at the University of Southern Maine (then called University of Maine, Portland/Gorham), then as an exchange student at the University of Oregon, Eugene and lastly at Old Dominion University earning her degree in Business Administration/Management summa cum laude. She continued to live in the Norfolk, VA area for a few years working in sales at Xerox Corporation where she met her husband, Steve Williams. She progressed into computer software sales while employed by other large companies primarily in the Washington, DC area, though she also worked in Seattle, WA for a few years. Kathy recently retired from the software company The Scan Group, Inc in Yarmouth, ME.

Kathy excelled at her craft in sales earning large commissions, awards and trips to pleasurable locations accompanied either by her husband or other close relatives. She was particularly fond of Caribbean cruises, travelling extensively around the Caribbean islands but also won trips for two to Hawaii and Barcelona, Spain.

After several years in VA, she pursued her lifelong dream to raise horses. She bought a farm in Gorham, ME and moved back “home” with her husband and 2 horses, Memphis and Annie. She loved riding her horses, and as she left the corporate world and settled into farm life, owned a few ponies as well.

Incredibly versatile, Kathy was also a talented artist and craftsman. She took up crocheting at an early age and painted with oils for years with horses as her primary objects but also painted lovely landscapes. Most recently, she turned to stained glass (self-taught) creating beautiful art pieces which are sold at shops in Maine.

Kathy was a remarkable person – exceptionally strong and competent. Nothing was too big a challenge for her whether it was finalizing a huge software contract, driving the tractor around the pasture, or repairing the stall that feisty Memphis has just kicked in. She had more tools and knew how to use them better than her male counterparts. Never idle, she was the original multitasker. As Steve remarked, she was like the Energizer bunny. Although she was the 4th child in the family, she took the lead on organizing all family events and managing family crises. We are forever grateful for all that she has done for our family. She will be greatly missed.

Kathy is predeceased by husband Steve of nearly 38 years and her horse Annie. She is survived by son Eric Breton of Wyoming, sisters Maureen Jordan (David) of Scarborough, ME and Francine Carland of Branford, CT, brothers William Carland of Sioux Falls, SD/ Sarasota, FL (Barbara Peterson), James Carland of Gray, ME, Thomas Carland of Bullhead City, AZ, (Sandy), Timothy Carland of Windham, ME, Edward (Ted) Carland of Windham, ME (Celine), 3 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and her horse Memphis.

A memorial service will be held at Dolby, Blais & Segee Funeral Home, 434 River Road, Windham, ME at 11 AM on Thursday, January 29, 2026.