Helen Louise Williams, the “powerhouse” mother of Vanessa Williams has passed away.
On Thursday (1.02,) the superstar singer/actress took to social media with the news that her mom of 85 years died on December 28 due to complications of acute liver failure.
Along with a photograph of her mother on Instagram, Vanessa wrote that Helen “took her final bow” after suffering a “major decline” in her health during a visit to London to see her daughter perform in the musical version of The Devil Wears Prada on the West End, adding:
“On December 28th, the world lost a powerhouse, dynamo and force of nature packed into a 5ft frame.” “Our mom, Helen Williams, aka Gaga to many, took her final bow in London 20 days after celebrating her 85th birthday surrounded by family and friends.” “It’s impossible to describe all she meant to everyone because each person saw a different facet of her,” the 61-year-old continued. “Loyal friend to many, icy stares to a chosen few. We will miss it all.”
Elsewhere in her post, Vanessa shared an obituary in which Helen was described as a “vocal musical educator for 40 years.” “Simultaneously, she taught private piano lessons to thousands of multi-cultural youth throughout Westchester County, was an accomplished pianist and performed as featured accompanist for many music recitals, community and church events, and served as concert coordinator and choral director for countless music programmes before and after she retired (in 1996).”
Helen Williams is survived by Vanessa and her brother Chris as well as four grandchildren and one great-grandson. Her husband Milton Augustine Williams Jr. passed away in 2006 at the age of 67.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Christopher Peterson (Sacredhands)