Helen Williams, Mother Of Vanessa Williams, Passes Away At 85

I’m so sad to share that Helen Williams, mother of Vanessa Williams, passed away on December 28 due to complications of acute liver failure. She was 85. I’ve known Helen since my first day at Syracuse University in 1981 when Vanessa and I met as freshman music theater students. Helen and Milton, Vanessa’s dad, had traveled with V as she began her college journey. After Vanessa and I met at an orientation, she quickly introduced me to her parents who were so proud of Vanessa’s new chapter.

Helen always greeted me with a hug and smile when we saw each other over the years. She was a fantastic mother/grandmother and an inspiring teacher. She was always ready with a witty line and could wield an imposing stare when called for.

 

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Helen had traveled to London to attend the opening night of The Devil Wears Prada in the West End on December 1, where Vanessa stars as fashion editor Miranda Priestly. Michael and I arrived in London a few days later to celebrate Michael’s birthday on December 7 by seeing Vanessa in Prada, and to take part in a big 85th birthday bash for Helen on the 8th with over 150 of her family and friends. Unfortunately, Helen had fallen ill during that week. While she made it to the birthday celebration, her health continued to decline. I’m grateful I was able to see Helen that night where she made some characteristically “Helen” remarks to the delight of the crowd. I’m sending love and light to Vanessa Williams and the family. Rest well, dear Helen.

Vanessa Williams’ Mother Helen Louise Williams Dies at 85 https://t.co/mQsmm1jJe5

— People (@people) January 3, 2025

Here’s the obituary from the family that perfectly captures Miss Helen’s impressive and inspiring journey:

Helen Louise Williams (Tinch), a vocal music educator for over 40 years in the Ossining and Manhattanville School Districts, Professor at Manhattanville College, and proud mother of actress/singer Vanessa Williams and actor Chris Williams peacefully passed away December 28th, 6:50 a.m., at The London Clinic due to complications of acute liver failure.

She had recently traveled to London for opening night of The Devil Wears Prada in the West End, and to celebrate her 85th birthday party surrounded by 150 of her family and friends. During her visit she suffered a major decline in health which ended her life.

Mrs. William’s left a sterling legacy as an impassioned advocate and activist for the arts, education, women’s rights, racial equality and social justice. She launched her teaching career at Claremont Elementary School, Ossining, NY in 1961 as a vocal music teacher. She taught folk dancing, theatrical productions to a variety of grades 1 – 5 throughout her tenure.

Mrs. Willams motivational mantra to her students embodied her unrelenting spirit, “Work the best you can and don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something—ever! Make up your mind, prepare yourself, study hard, and be very, very confident.” She retired in 1996.

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 programs before and after she retired.

Mrs. Williams earned a master’s degree in music education from Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY, and later became a tenured adjunct professor at the college. She received a B.S. in Music Education from Suny Fredonia and pursued additional studies at New York University.

When she enrolled in the Class of 1960 at Fredonia, she was just 16 years old, becoming the youngest Black student at the college, one of the few Blacks enrolled at any major college/university in the nation, and the first member of her family to attend college.

Since graduating from the renamed State University of New York at Fredonia, Mrs. Williams has been one of the university’s most distinguished alumni. In 2022, they established the Inaugural Helen Tinch Williams Recital.

In 2017, she received the Fredonia Alumni Association’s Outstanding Achievement Award and established The Helen Tinch Williams Scholarship. It benefits the university’s Richard Sheil Memorial Music Scholarship Fund.

In 2010, the Hillman Memorial Music Association and SUNY Fredonia honored her with the Jessie Hillman Award for Excellence in Education. In addition, she was a perennial and resolute mentor for college students and a staunch champion for inmates at the Bedford Women’s Correction Facility.

Mrs. Williams was born December 8, 1939, in Buffalo, NY and raised in the Hickory Street neighborhood of downtown Buffalo. Her parents Edward J. Tinch and Doris C. Griffin had four children, three daughters and a son. However, her grandparents raised her during her early childhood years. She attended East High School, located in the East Side of the city, and was among only a handful of Black students who integrated the school.

While attending Fredonia, she met Milton A. Williams, Jr., who became her college sweetheart and later her beloved husband for 45 years. After graduation, they married and lived in the Bronx. She gave birth to her daughter Vanessa in March 1963.

They moved to Millwood, NY and their second child, son Christopher was born in November 1967. Williams was a music educator for 43 years and died January 16, 2006, of pancreatitis.

Since becoming a widow eighteen years ago, Mrs. Williams retired and remained prolifically active. In 2012, she co-authored with daughter Vanessa Williams (and Irene Surtell), the New Times best-selling memoir, “You Have No Idea: A Famous Daughter, Her No-nonsense Mother, and How They Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss (and Each Other),” released by Gotham (a division of Penguin).

The book illuminates her patented and revered character traits; a commanding presence, pint sized authority, imposing stare, acerbic wit, no-nonsense talk, undying fidelity, and support for her children and grandchildren.

Her personal passions were vast. She was a shopping devotee, theatre aficionado, and a voracious global traveler that visited Egypt, Japan, India, South Africa, Thailand, Cuba, Morocco, Venezuela, Brazil, Dubai, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Ghana, Caribbean, among many other countries.

Some of her other activities included serving as a Board Member of Westchester Community College, charter member of The Links Incorporated Greater Hudson Valley Chapter, African American Advisory Board of Historic Hudson Valley, Hope’s Door Advisory Board, American Women of African Heritage, consultant to Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers, contributor to Askwisebird, (helps elderly adults navigate the aging process).

She was honored with several awards, including the Dorothy Height Distinguished Black Family Award from the National Council of Negro (2010), and March of Dimes Mother of The Year Award (2001).

In 2021, Mrs. Williams became a great-grandmother to a grandson. She is survived by her brother Federick Tinch, Kenmore NY, her two children, four grandchildren from her daughter, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.