Helen was born in Seattle in 1943 to Martin Horan and Helen Larson Horan. She grew up on Capitol Hill and was one of eight children. She died peacefully at her home in Renton, Washington on February 13, 2018.

Helen graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1961. She went on to work at The Boeing Company where she met Ken Williams, her husband of fifty-three years. Ken was her instructor at the Boeing Ski School.

Helen left Boeing to raise four children, actively volunteering at St. Anthony’s School where her children attended. As an avid supporter of the arts and the City of Renton, she helped promote the Renton Annual Art Show. After raising her children, Helen restarted her career working for King County. She was part of a team that helped implement a major new payroll and benefits software system for King County employees.

Helen and Ken’s home has been the “gathering place,” welcome to family and strangers alike. It was not uncommon to have exchange students and travelers from all over the world staying at Chez Williams. Food, wine and wisdom were freely shared. She was an amazing cook and loved to travel and meet people from all over the world. Helen showed love through cooking; family and friends were the happy beneficiaries.

Helen was a kind and loyal wife, mother, sister, and friend. She stayed close to her childhood classmates until her death.

Survived by her husband Ken Williams; children Adam, Julie (Brad Robins), Monica (Gary Justiss) and David; sisters Carol Beach, Dolores Prichard, Maggie Buckwitz, Kathy Horan; brother Pat Horan and grandchildren Gabrielle, Jameson, Airyn, Allora, Spencer, Pacific, and Kian.

Preceded in death are parents Martin and Helen Horan, brothers Franklin (Buzz) Horan and Martin (Mick) Horan.

We will celebrate Helen’s life with a memorial, date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

https://www.seattlecca.org/get-involved-0