Helen K. Williams, age 91, passed to eternal life September 28, 2026.

A native Toledoan, Helen Kathryn was born to Hildred and Emil Knierim on March 22, 1935.

Helen was a graduate of Ottawa Hills High School, class of 1953. She attended DePauw University before transferring to The Ohio State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in1956.

She taught second and third grades in the Columbus City School District before returning to Toledo. From that time until her death, she focused her time and energy on family, friends, church, and community.

As her children grew, she became an active volunteer in their schools and activities and served as past president of both the Old Orchard Mothers' Club and the Sylvania Whiteford Parent Teacher Organization.

Her passion for teaching children continued as she worked as a substitute teacher for the Sylvania City Schools. Her dedication to teaching extended far beyond the traditional classroom. She was employed as a coordinator for the Metropolitan League for Individualized Instruction, serving seven school systems in the greater Toledo area. Helen collaborated with teachers and administrators, sharing ideas and activities focused on individualizing instruction.

In 1984, and for the next twelve years, she worked for The Toledo Hospital/Children’s Medical Center in the Child Life Program. She tutored children, helping them to keep up with their school work during their hospitalization, and offering emotional support to their families.

Helen was active in the community as a board member of the YWCA, served on the executive board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of NW Ohio, served as administrative vice-president of the Junior League of Toledo, and was president of the Toledo Bar Association Auxiliary.

Her spiritual life, and her faith and trust in God were important in her life. She was a member of Collingwood Presbyterian Church for 37 years, where she served as deacon and elder. She volunteered in the church’s inner city tutoring program and established a scholarship program to help high school graduates go to college. She was a founding board member of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Toledo, a network of churches giving temporary shelter to the homeless.

After her marriage to John R. Williams in 1996, she became a member of St. Michael’s In The Hills Episcopal Church where she was a member of the Altar Guild, the Vestry, and served as Jr. and Sr. Warden. She visited the homebound, often serving them communion. In her later years, when she could no longer make home visits, she continued to reach out with phone calls and notes of encouragement.

For three decades Helen met weekly for Bible study with a cherished group of friends from several denominations.

Helen’s life was defined by deep love for her family, a generous spirit of service, and devotion to her many enduring friendships.

She is survived by her loving husband John; daughter Karen E. Hemsoth (Robert), sons Craig A. Schnorf, Siem Reap, Cambodia and Carl S. Patrick (Danielle), Louisville, Colorado; grandchildren Bethany Ensey (Nathan), Brian Hemsoth, Ava Patrick and Julia Patrick; great-grandchildren Nora, Thea and Lucy Ensey; and brother-in-law Roger Pease.

She is also survived by John’s son Lars (Pernille) Williams and daughter Carla, brother-in-law Jay “Pete” Basinger, and brother and sister-in-law David and Marilyn Williams.

She was preceded in death by her sister Janet L. Pease and sister-in-law Judith Basinger.

A celebration of Helen’s life will take place on Saturday, November 28 at St. Michael’s In the Hills Episcopal Church, 4718 Brittany Road, Ottawa Hills, Ohio 43615. Visitation will take place at the church beginning at 9:00 a.m., with the service following at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the church Fellowship Hall. Burial in the Memorial Garden of the church will be private.

The family requests any contributions in honor of Helen be given to St. Michael’s Outreach Ministries, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.