Helen Garrett Williams, devoted teacher, volunteer
Helen Garrett Williams passed away Thursday, May 16, 2024, her 88th birthday, in Annapolis, Md.
She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, teacher, and friend. In addition to volunteer work, she enjoyed gardening, quilting, and travel. Her openness and bright smile, as well as her positive attitude and calmness during adversity, put people at ease.
Helen was born May 16, 1936, in Brooklyn, N.Y., daughter of Howard Garrett and Emma Hausman Garrett. She grew up in Lynbrook, N.Y., and graduated from Malvern High School. She attended Drew University, graduating from Hofstra University in 1958. Helen married William H. Williams (Bill) in 1959, her college sweetheart, and moved to Dover Plains and then Pawling, N.Y.
She taught first grade in New York, where their first child, David, was born. Helen and Bill moved to Newark in 1963, where their twins, Mark and Dawn, were born, and then to Georgetown in 1967, where they raised their three children.
Helen was honored to teach the inaugural kindergarten class in Georgetown in 1968, where she continued teaching elementary school for many years thereafter. She taught GED preparation courses part time to adults, and later turned to teaching English as a Second Language, where she was one of the very first to do so in the Indian River School District. Helen received her master’s in instruction from University of Delaware in 1991.
She was a passionate community volunteer. Helen organized fundraising in Georgetown for the American Cancer Society, hosted Leukemia Fairs in her backyard, and led Sussex County Arts Council trips to D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York City. She was deeply involved in helping a Cambodian refugee family resettle in Georgetown. Helen was a dedicated supporter of Georgetown Public Library, leading fundraising initiatives for more than a decade. She was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church from 1967 until she moved to Annapolis in 2016.
Helen is survived by her son, Mark and wife Kym Williams (Lyme, N.H.); granddaughters, Amelia and Sarah Williams; and daughter, Dawn and husband August Stitzel (Annapolis, Md.). She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; son, David; and brother, James Garrett.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Georgetown Public Library, 123 West Pine St., Georgetown, DE 19947; or Wesley United Methodist Church, 102 E. Laurel St., Georgetown, DE 19947.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 102 E. Laurel St., Georgetown. Interment will be private.
Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services in Georgetown.
Online condolences can be made at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
