Helen Williams passed away peacefully from natural causes on February 6th at the age of 92.
Helen was born at home in Akron’s east side “Greek Town” on March 17, 1928, the eldest of four children to Anastasios and Mary Contos. Like many children of immigrants, Helen could not speak English when she enrolled in Hotchkiss Elementary School. By the time she graduated from Akron’s East High School in 1947, she became the first in her family to attend college, graduating from Kent State University with a B.S. in biology. While at KSU, Helen met her future husband, William Williams of Lock Haven, PA in their chemistry lab.
Helen worked as a lab technician at Akron City Hospital until her marriage in 1956. Bill’s medical school and residency took them to Philadelphia and New Jersey before returning to Akron where they called home ever since. In their 33 years of marriage, Helen and Bill were blessed with six children and 16 grandchildren. Helen’s greatest joys were being a wife, raising her children, cooking family dinners, spending time on the beach, gardening and volunteering in various community groups. In her retirement years Helen continued to enjoy the theatre and her theatre trips to New York with her Akron Women’s City Club friends.
Helen was active in the Summit County Medical Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, and the Summit County Juvenile Court Women’s Board.
In addition to her parents, Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William J. Williams, and brothers George and Ross Contos. She is survived by her brother Gus Contos of Reno, children Stacie (Allan) Gottlieb of Atlanta, Pamela (Christopher) Williams-Lime of Milwaukee, James Williams of Akron, Leslie Williams of Atlanta, Bill (Kathy) Williams of Detroit, Bryan (Maria) Williams of Akron and her grandchildren Bennett (Lynah), Ryan (Kathryn), Sam, Alexis and Hollis Gottlieb; Nichole, Lyndsey, Jim and Allyson Williams; Katelyn (Andrew), Jessica, Ashley and Bill Williams; Hannah, Rachel and Dean Williams.
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church was an important part of Helen’s life from baptism to marriage, Greek School, festivals and more. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Annunciation Building Fund sustaining her spiritual house of worship would honor Helen.
May her memory be eternal for those she loved and for those who loved Helen.
Due to COVID-19, a private funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 11:00 am at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Very Rev. Fr. Jerry Hall officiating. Interment Mt. Peace Cemetery. Friends and family may view the funeral services on-line at Annunciation Akron Ohio - YouTube . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St., Akron OH 44304.
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