November 29, 1918 - October 8, 2013
COOPERSTOWN - Helen Williams (née Lapinski) passed away at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown on Tuesday evening, October 8, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.
Helen was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, on November 29, 1918, to Joseph and Genevieve (née Gonsowski) Lapinski. She was a graduate of Bayonne High School.
She met the love of her life, Tudor Penrose Williams, while they were both employed at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City. Tudor went to serve his country in World War II, and upon his return they were married April 15, 1945. They lived in Leonia, New Jersey, which is where they built their first home together. Helen lived in Leonia until 2012 when she moved to Cooperstown to be closer to her family.
Helen was employed at Lipton Tea, Inc. in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey until she retired in 1981. A long-time bowler and avid fan of the New York Yankees, she was a volunteer at St. Cecelia's Food Bank in Englewood, New Jersey for over 30 years, and was named volunteer of the year by the Lipton Tea Ambassadors for her many years of service. She was an active member of the Leonia Senior Citizens Club and enjoyed their trips to the casinos in Atlantic City.
While living in Cooperstown, Helen joined the Prayerfully Made Group at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church where she met some wonderful new friends. She also enjoyed the luncheons with the Hartwick Seniors. Most of all she enjoyed all the times she got to spend with all her family here in Cooperstown.
Helen was predeceased by her husband, Tudor, on July 3, 1981, and by her brothers Joseph and Alexander and her sisters Regina, Albina and Sabina.
Helen is survived by her son, Evan, and his wife, Susan, of Rochester Hills, MI; her daughter, Cynthia, and her husband, Stephen "Sharky" Nagelschmidt, of Cooperstown; Grandchildren Brooke Nagelschmidt and her companion, Ismael Bettancourt, Reid and Katie Nagelschmidt, David and Noelle Williams, and Daniel Williams; and her cherished great granddaughter Allison May Nagelschmidt.
Visitation was held at the Frank A. Patti Funeral Home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, on Friday, October 11, 2013.
On Saturday, October 12, 2013, Helen's life was celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Leonia, New Jersey. She was buried later that day at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.
Memorial donations in Helen's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 Adams Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.
Arrangements were with Frank A. Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Directors in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
