In Loving Memory of Hellen Williamson
January 4, 1944 – September 6, 2023
It is with immense sorrow that we announce the passing of Emilia (Hellen) Williamson (nee Haapamaki) on September 6, 2023. Hellen passed away peacefully at Matthews House Hospice following a brave battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones. She will be dearly missed by many friends and family.
Beloved wife of the late Jim Williamson, Hellen was a loving mother to her son Waylon Williamson, devoted step grandmother to Dakota Stone and cherished mother in law to Tanya Kailan. Beloved by her brother-in-law Vance Taylor, and the late Ilmi Taylor, she was predeceased by brothers, Sam and Paul Haapamaki. Adored by niece Karen Taylor (Wally Wraxall), and nephew Brian Taylor. Hellen will forever be in the hearts of her cousins, extended family, friends, and many more touched by her life.
Born in Sprucedale Ontario, she grew up in Huntsville on the family farm. Hellen attended college in Toronto, then worked as a secretary at C.N.I.B. While living in Toronto she met the love of her life Jim. Once they started a family, they moved to Tottenham, where she later became the superintendent of two apartment buildings. Hellen quickly became loved and admired by many. Her willingness to lend a hand endeared her to many.
She was also an active caregiver and volunteer throughout her community. In 2010, Hellen was awarded Senior of the Year award along with being inducted into the South Simcoe Hall of Fame for her continued efforts to support those in need.
Hellen is greatly missed and will forever be in our hearts. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 at Rod Abrams Funeral Home, 1666 Tottenham Road Tottenham, 905-936-3477 from 10 – 11 a.m., followed by the Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Mount Tegart Cemetery, followed by a reception at Rod Abrams Funeral Home Cliffside Hall.
For those who wish, donations in Hellen’s memory to Matthews House Hospice would be greatly appreciated. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com
Service
Memorial Visitation
Rod Abrams Funeral Home
1666 Tottenham Road, Tottenham, ON L0G1W0
Saturday September 30, 2023
10:00am - 11:00am
Memorial Service
Rod Abrams Funeral Home
1666 Tottenham Road, Tottenham Ontario L0G1W0
Saturday September 30, 202311:00 am
Nancy Andrew says
So very sad to just read this now. Hellen, a very gentle and loyal person. I use to live in an apartment building kept by Hellen.
We always exchanged Christmas cards for the last 18yrs….but not this time.
Jodie Guillemette says
Dear Waylon, I always adored your mother. She was just full of kindness, and love and had that beautiful smile of warmth and gratitude.
I appreciate hearing about her volunteer work and her accolades which I had no idea but not surprising to hear. My sympathies to you and your extended family. love Jodie Guillemette (Daniel’s older sister).
Leach Family says
We were so sad to hear of Hellen’s passing. Our sincere condolences to the family.
Hellen was a lovely lady who was so kind to our family. Sheila had many coffee dates with Hellen and friends. We will all miss her.
Deborah, Sheila, and Susan Leach.
Erica Clark says
Waylon and Family
I have known your mom for many years through Tottenham United Church, and I enjoyed visiting with her and Betty Anderson back in ‘the day’. We had dinners and lunches together from time to time and she was always so sweet and upbeat. And, yes, her lovely smile.
Hellen was so thoughtful and made sure to keep in touch with regular phone calls and holiday cards. I will miss our chats.
My sincere condolences to all who held her dear.
Virpi Mujunen says
Waylon and family,
So sad to hear of your mother’s passing. We became friends over the last few years after meeting at one of our Christmas bazaars. It was always such a pleasure to visit with her, whether at her or our house, at the bazaar or over the phone. She was such a caring lady with curiosity about life and will be surely missed! Our condolences to you and may many beautiful memories console you at this difficult time!
Virpi Mujunen & Family
Mary Jane Culgin says
Waylon and family.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear Mum. She was a lovely lady and always a pleasure to chat with. I will always remember her beautiful smile and kindness. Thinking of you and fondly remembering you and Jack in your younger years.
Love Mary Jane (Jack’s Mum)
Heather and Craig Wallace says
So very sorry for your loss. She was a great friend to my mother Noreen Shaw.
May she rest in peace.
Carly van de Pol says
Hellen is one of the kindest and most selflessness persons I met. She was always helping others. She would always send me Christmas, Easter, and birthday cards. I was always happy to receive them. She spoke with great fondness about her son, daughter in law, and grandchild. I can only imagine how much they will miss her.
Karen Ward says
Waylon:
We are so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. She was a beautiful and caring lady. Thinking of you at this very difficult time.
Bob and Karen Ward
Maria Primc says
I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Waylon and all of Helen’s family. I considered Helen a good friend for over 45 years. I met her in 1978 when she and Jim were living in the apartment across from us in Toronto. She was a great neighbour and would always welcome my kids and I over for coffee. Although we had not seen each other in person since she moved, we had continued to maintain contact. It doesn’t surprise me that she was appreciated by so many. People like Helen are rare and precious, and she will be dearly missed.
Margaret Murray and family says
Hellen was a lovely lady and good friend to me while I was living in Tottenham. She will be missed. My deepest condolences to her family.
J Michael zabehlicky says
Hello our sincere condolences to Waylon and your family.helen was very caring and kind person.helping with the apartments and caring for the people who lived there.helen was reliable and always smiling. We will miss her.love from j Micheal zabehlicky and family.
Terry Snider says
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Hellen. She was an incredible help to our family when my Dad (Andy) was a tenant at the Queen street apartment many years ago. She always looked out for my Dad, took him shopping and on day trips and was such a caring and wonderful friend to him. After my Dad passed, we met for coffee from time to time, but I’m sorry that we lost touch the last few years, but she will always be in our hearts.
Natalie Copp says
Sorry to hear of the passing of Hellen and my condolences to her family and friends. She always had a great smile and we had many chats when we met around town and at the soup and sandwich at the Church.
Elizabeth Kirley and Jerry Switzer says
We met Jim and Hellen when our sons played on the same hockey team. Jim was outgoing with a great sense of humour. We reconnected with Hellen many years later when she was managing an apartment where Betty Anderson was living in Tottenham. As Betty grew elderly Hellen volunteered her services in so many ways. She was intelligent, very kind, warm-hearted, cheerful and very resourceful. Our sincere condolences to Waylon and his family.
Karen Andrecsik says
Waylon, we are so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I have many cherished memories of Aunt Hellen, she will always be remembered for her kindness and thoughtfulness. Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Karen, Jim & Stephanie Andrecsik
Debbie MARINEAU says
Myself and two sons arrived on Park Cres in 1994 Hellen welcomed us with an open door and friendship. She was a beautiful lady. BLESS her and cherish the memories
Tina Gauley says
It was with great sadness upon hearing of the passing of Helen, what a wonderful person she was. I sincerely think she was one of the most caring and humble people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. Please accept my sincere condolences Waylon and Dakota, she loved you with all her heart, and spoke of you always with such joy, she especially enjoyed the baseball games. God Bless.
Ivor & Ginny Cathcart says
Dear Waylon and Family, we are so very sorry for your loss. Helen was a wonderful caring woman. She always had an open smile and heart, giving so much to her community. She will be greatly missed by many.
Henry and Kathryn Vandenheuvel says
Our deepest condolences to you Waylon, Tanya and Dakota.
If I wrote here all my thoughts of Hellen, there would be no room for others to share their thoughts. Your mother, Hellen was the most kind and caring person we have ever known. We never failed to admire and stand in awe of the number of persons Hellen helped in so many varied ways. She was the most humble, soflly spoken and dearest friend to all she met. Hellen, we thank you for all you did for the Vandenheuvel and Pagliaroli families over time . You helped us in ways for which you were totally unaware. Rest in peace, our dear Hellen. Your work is done. Be with your great love, Jim, at long last.
Waylon, you will miss your devoted Mom forever but feel proud to have been her precious son and you were precious and a source of great pride to her.
Henry, Kathryn, Barbara, Sadie and Sidney
David Zub says
Hellen was one of my all-time favorite people who seemed to care about me (just as she care for everyone!) even when I was at my least likeable! She carried a heavy burden in life, that was plain, but had nothing but kindness in her. Many blessings to her family in your grief and in your memories.
Wendy Kriegizas says
Waylon and family
I am so sorry to hear about your
Mom’s passing. She always had a
Smile and always had time to chat.
What an honor it was to know such beautiful, kind spirited person. We offer
Our sincerest condolences . You are
In our thoughts and prayers.
Rico and Wendy Kriegizas
John & Diane Harrett says
Waylon
We are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing.
She was a very kind soul, a great lady and she will be missed.
Debbie says says
Debbie says,
Hellen was a very nice person who helped several people.
I enjoyed talking to her many times at the coffee shop & elsewhere. May God be with Hellen’s family & friends @ this difficult time.
Edith Burnie says
Hellen was a very kind and special lady. She was always so cheerful and upbeat . It was an honor knowing her. She will be deeply missed
Edith Burnie and family
Susan and Louis Conforti says
Lou and I are so sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. Our most sincere condolences to Waylen and family. RIP my friend…
Lori Cochrane & Kevin Hollingshead says
Waylon and Family,
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your mom. She was such a lovely lady to talk to! Hellen was a fantastic neighbour! She will be dearly missed.
Zied says
I’m sorry for your loss
Amanda Ranby says
My condolences to Hellen’s family at this difficult time Hellen will be deeply missed by me she was a dear friend we would meet up for church lunches and attend Christmas church bazaars she was a wonderful lady to have known and she will be missed by all who new her R I P Hellen
Cathy and Brent Webb says
Waylon,
Brent and I are sorry to hear about your Mom.
Please know we are thinking of you at this difficult time.
Cathy and Brent Webb
Janice Milne says
Waylon and family. I was deeply saddened to read the news about your mom. She was a very special lady and it was a pleasure to chat with her over the years- at soup and bun and other church events. She so appreciated our choir events. Hellen will definitely be missed.
Sonia Goronovsky says
My sincere condolences to Waylon and family. Hellen was a kind and gentle person who always showed a genuine interest in others. I loved seeing her sweet smile and catching up with her.
Adele and Dave McKendrick says
Helen was a wonderful sweet lady who was always smiling. I still remember her walking around the block with her dog following her. She never passed you without saying hello. Condolences to her family. Park Crescent will miss you!
Dave and Adele MCKENDRICK
Kim Mantifel says
Waylon, it is with great sadness we want to express our deepest sympathy to you and your family. It has been so many years since we’ve been in contact, your mom was a very giving and kind person. I know that this will be very hard for you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kim, Natasha & Dylan Mantifel (Palmer Rapids)
Mary Wiley says
Waylon and family
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Garry and Mary Wiley
Janice Hutchison says
We will forever be grateful to Hellen for her friendship and kindness to our mother Beatrice Hutchison over the years. Hellen was a remarkable lady who we considered a part of the family. May she rest in peace