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Helga Williams Obituary
WILLIAMS, Helga (nee Wallraf) (The Word Lady), was born in Halle, Germany October 10, 1939 and passed away on September 6th at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital after a lengthy illness. Helga is survived by her husband, Colin, daughters Nicole and Tonya (Bart), sons Peter and Sascha (Peta), and grandchildren Danielle, Brittney, Cydney, Alysha, and Toby as well as her sister, Hanni (Wolfgang). A love of travel took Helga around the world and back, always seeking new adventures. She and her family lived in England, Australia, and the United States and, after immigrating to Canada in 1969, Banff, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Vancouver, Salt Spring Island, and Victoria. A professional photographer and writer (in addition to many articles and columns she was also the author of Wordplay, illustrated by her husband and published by Sono Nis Press), Helga was also a fabulous teacher. Her photography and ESL classes were not just informative, they were also a great deal of fun. A Scrabble champion and founder of the Victoria Scrabble Club, Helga's knack for knowing just the right word was legendary. Victoria residents enjoyed her CFAX appearances and looked forward to her Wordplay columns in the Times Colonist. Helga's weekly International House of Music" broadcasts on CJOK radio in Fort McMurray entertained listeners for several years. Helga's sense of humour and love of life will be much missed. A passion for music was a constant in her life and not long after her move to Victoria she became a member of the Gettin' Higher Choir in Victoria. The choir, the music, and the friendships she developed in this community of song played a central role in her life in recent years. The family would like to thank all the staff in ECU at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for their dedication and many kindnesses. In lieu of flowers, donations, if desired, may be made to the Gettin' Higher Choir Scholarship Fund Helga's Legacy, 1305 Bond Street, Victoria, BC, V8S 1C3. 292642
Memories and Condolences
for Helga Williams
Sponsored by The Williams Family - 5675 Wellsview Road, Victoria BC, V8Y 1V4 Canada.
17 Entries
Carrie Hunter
October 5, 2006
Dear Colin and Family,
Having only just learned of Helga's passing last evening, I'm still stunned by the news. We haven't spent time together in recent years - but today, my heart and my head have gone back to Banff where we shared a deep friendship. We picknicked on our living room floor on rainy days in May; we played board games with our kids; we talked while our children danced, took music lessons, road horses. We never ran out of ideas and we never stopped dreaming about a better world.
Helga was a huge presence,wherever she went. We laughed together. We cried together. We encouraged one another. We believed in one another.
She was actually my first "best friend" in Banff.
I've felt her around me the past weeks, without having any knowledge of what was going on for her - or for you dear people.
And now she's always around us - as great as any force of nature.
She loved you all so much and she was loved by so many.
Her irreplaeable and indomitable spirit is free. And - we are left with beautiful memories of a woman whose life was well lived.
With loving thoughts to you all.
Carrie
The Brain Family
September 23, 2006
Our sincere condolences go out to Helga's dear family on this sad loss. May your happy memories of her bring you comfort. With love, Karen, Darlene and Bill Brain
Val Sharp
September 19, 2006
I have already been missing Helga since she hasn't been at choir. Now I'll never get to see her wonderful face across from me. Helga and I shared many smiles across the room. I loved her wit and her ability to "tell it like it is." Goodbye my wonderful Helga. I'll miss you.
Christie Eng
September 17, 2006
Oh Helga, I miss you. I miss you singing in my ear when I need help finding the note. I miss your wit. I miss your indomitable spirit. I miss your laugh and that squeaky giggle that I last heard over a year ago. I miss your encouragement. Most of all I miss the twinkle in your eye turned in my direction as we shared a mischievous moment. I know that your sister was proud of you when you were still tiny, as she showed off your harmony skills in the play ground. I was always proud to be your friend. Helga, I hope that you are always blessed with "The Sound of Music" where ever you travel from here.
Mona Patel
September 16, 2006
The Incomparable Helga Williams! I loved being another "low woman" in the tenor section with her. I envied her ability to tell it like it was. If there is a chorus of heavenly angels, I'm sure Helga is keeping them on track...Thank you Colin, Niki and Dani for sharing your home with us singers for various social events. Namaste...Mona
Karen Brand
September 16, 2006
Helga touched my life briefly from my days talking to her at Bolen Books to conversing and singing with her at choir. She remains in my heart as an inspiration with her warmth, wit and humour.
My condolences to the family, I know you will always remember her shining spirit with love.
cHumi Goldstein
September 16, 2006
I knew Helga as "The Word Lady", as a scrabble player, and mostly, we sang together in the Gettin'Higher Choir, as well as 'Soundings'. She was always the first to memorize the music and still had time to crack her wit. We knew when she missed a session that something had to be wrong, because Helga lived for her Monday night singing. I will miss her presence.
Diane, GHC tenor section
September 16, 2006
To the Williams Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Denis Donnelly
September 15, 2006
We in the Gettin' Higher Choir will all miss Helga. Helga was always there with a quip or a one-liner and she always kept things active and lively. And of course we cannot forget that her strong voice was one of the anchors of the tenor section on Monday evenings. One thing that is nice to think about is that there are reputed to be lots of choirs in heaven, so hopefully Helga is still singing. I, personally, have always respected Helga for her broad general knowledge and sharp incisiveness in many areas, expecially in music. I will miss her presence in our choir, and in my life. My thoughts, and those of her choir friends, are with her lovely family.
Ihei Okada
September 14, 2006
Sayonara Helga,
You were always so knowlegeable,so creative and so advisable that it is very hard to think of you as passed away.I've never known such a women like you at the same generation. I must tell you that my son Kei is now a solid business man in full of integrity.How much he's adored you as a stern teacher and fondly as a mother in Canada!
I am very proud of having shared ever lasting friendship and a dynamic business performance with your son Peter who are obviously inheritated with your talent.
Sayonara Helga, rest in peace.
Ihei Okada,Tokyo
Colin and Helga
September 12, 2006
Caroline Caiger
September 12, 2006
Helga took on the world, with all its triumphs and challenges, as a personal mission to make it better for everyone.
From the tremulous tenors in the Getting’ Higher choir to the fish in her garden pond, Helga looked after them with care.
Her depth of knowledge was immense, as was her love and pride in her family and her ability to share all that was good in this life.
Her exceptional understanding of the English language makes me nervous as I write this. I now treasure our discussions on the true definitions of words and their meanings.
I am thankful for the perspective Helga gave me when I was wondering whether to do something (“so . . . do it!”). It all seemed so clear when you considered things from a positive perspective.
My happiest memory of Helga is singing across from her in the alto section of the Gettin’ Higher choir. In those days, she sang with unfailing accuracy, strong and clear.
Helga left an indelible mark on my life and my heart.
My condolences to all the family, near and far.
April Hanson
September 12, 2006
Although I met Helga and Colin in person a few times, I felt much warmth in their home, over the phone, and through stories their children shared with me over the years. She felt like family to me and I adored her passionate, enthusiastic, and all embracing view of things. She seemed fascinated with learning about things and people. And her children are a testament to her spirited creativity and intelligence. One of whom is my dearest friends. My gratitude for her spirit and thoughts of encouragement for the family.
Helen Douglas
September 12, 2006
Dear Colin and Family -
I was saddened by the news that Helga had passed away - she was so vibrant and so very talented. She was a tremendous help to me when I started playing scrabble in the club, encouraging me and telling me I was a good player. We had many a giggle on our tournament trips which made the occasion so much more enjoyable. We seemed to have a lot in common and understood one another.
I know first-hand what it's like to lose a loved one - may you find comfort in family and friends at this time and for years to come.
I wish you all the very best,
Jaana Lunny
September 11, 2006
I was a child when I knew Helga as the mother of my best friend; she entered my life like a force of nature - and never left.
Helga was clearly exceptional in so many ways. Here was an adult on adventure: still curious about the world, still learning new things and meeting new people, still open to possibility, still laughing. And when she laughed, all dimples and twinkling eyes, she carried the whole room with her. There were no half measures in her world; whatever she engaged she engaged fully and fearlessly.
Of all her pursuits and many talents, I believe one of her greatest legacies was her ability to defend and encourage the talents of everyone she knew. It struck me, even as a young child, that her tenacious support and belief in Colin's work was a gift to us all and a very elevated expression of love, conquering as it did not only the common fears and doubts of any artist, but also of any young couple making their way in the world. I have always thought of her as a warrior for self-actualization and there were several times in my life that she inspired me to believe in myself, to keep hold of a dream, to try.
Years and decades may have passed with very little contact, but I feel an extra kinship with her now that comes from shared experience. Having become a mother myself, I can better appreciate and marvel at her truly boundless energy while raising a large family, and her resilience in dealing with unforseen challenges along the way. I cannot help but think of Helga when I am reading one of my childrens' favourite bedtime poems:
The world would stop
If it were run
By those who say
"It can't be done".
Thank you, Helga. You have left this world a better place.
My sincere condolences to all your family.
Samantha Vega
September 11, 2006
Helga and Colin welcomed me into their home for a night a few years back when I was in Victoria. I remember Helga's enthusiasm for music and that she was a kind woman. My thoughts go out to the family.
scott morris
September 9, 2006
I just want to offer my sincere condolances to Colin and family. I had the honor of meeting Helga when she came to Japan a few years ago - truly a remarkable woman. My thoughts are with you.
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