C. Melissa Williams
C. Melissa Williams, 53, of Perico Island and formerly of Holmes Beach, died Feb. 11.
A celebration of life for Ms. Williams is planned for 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, at the store she managed with her husband, Frank, Island Mail and Print in the Anna Maria Island Centre shopping plaza, 3230 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.
Frank Williams said the celebration will be held in the vein of the Artwalk and Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce networking events that his wife loved to plan and execute: “We’ll have live music, some of her favorite foods and a special Melissa-recipe cocktail, ‘Melicious.’”
Ms. Williams worked as a graphic designer at The Islander before starting a business with Frank in 2006, SteamDesigns, a graphic design studio, art gallery and fine art printing business. They were awarded small business of the year in 2009 from the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
She branded dozens of businesses locally, including Anna Maria Island Vacations — the flip-flop logo — Isola Bella Italian Eatery and Ross Built, as well as logos and advertising for Eat Here and the Doctor’s Office, along with marketing for the Beach Bistro.
She had a passion for the history of the island and its preservation and the arts, and collected island-related historical postcards.
And she was an avid baseball and soccer fan, a supporter of Arsenal and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In July 2019, the couple took on management positions at Island Mail and Print, transitioning her graphic designs — and a new logo for the store — and his giclee printmaking business to the mail store.
Everyone who knew or worked with Ms. Williams is welcome at the celebration of her life.
Memorial donations will be accepted at the event for HOPE Family Services and Moonracer No Kill Rescue’s “cat room.”