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University of Colorado

Helen Walker-Hill Obituary

Helen Siemens Walker-Hill was born May 26, 1936, in Winnipeg, Canada. Dr. Walker-Hill, a pianist and scholar who championed a community of African-American and women composers, served on the faculty of the University of Colorado. She traveled widely, eventually organizing the sales of African crafts for a women's collective in Tanzania: "How grateful I am to have attempted my dreams." Forever beloved by her family, including sister Sylvia Siemens, sons Gregory and Ian Walker, and grandsons Grayson and Dashiel. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to Heifer International: https://secure1.heifer.org/webtexgiftregistry/index/registry/id/ELUSLAVO3FJC/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Daily Camera on Aug. 17, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Walker-Hill

5 Entries

John Paton

August 11, 2020

Helen is a lovely, gentle presence in my memory. And here is a specific memory: My son Andy died on a Friday and his death was reported on Saturday morning in the Boulder Daily Camera. At 9 am Helen and another friend of ours, composer Janet Pfischner-McNeil, whom Helen had never met, showed up at our front door. The two ladies went into the kitchen, put on aprons, and took over the running of the house. They answered the phone and kept a list of the callers, they answered the front door. They received gifts of food and flowers. They kept a coffee pot running, and served snacks and beverages throughout the day as people came and went. Andy's parents could close ourselves up in the bedroom and come out only when we chose to. It was a tremendous comfort to us that those ladies put in a full day of graciously serving us and our friends, and they worked another full day on Sunday. I was never able to repay the favor to either Helen or Jan, but the memory is warm in my heart, 30+ years later. Thank you for a chance to tell this story.

Marti Epstein

August 9, 2014

Helen was my piano teacher at CU-Boulder, and I loved her! I am very sorry to hear she is no longer with us!

Rhonda Dern

May 6, 2014

Dear Gregory and Ian,
I just heard that Gertrude Khatia died and wanted to talk with your mom and didn't know she had passed away. My son Nathan took piano lessons from her and I learned life lessons from your moms wisdom. I am so sorry. Yours truly,
Rhonda dern

John Glenn Paton

August 28, 2013

Greg and Ian-- I admired your mother's warm heart as much as her superb musicianship and intellectual openness. This comes from Andy's Dad,

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Janice Ediger

August 27, 2013

To Greg and Ian - thinking of you and your dear mother with fondness and respect. She was an inspiration and a long-time friend. I will miss her kindness and loving spirit. -Janice

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