Helen Pappas Williamson (born January 29, 1928), age 94, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2022.  She was the daughter of Ernest Pappas and Placida Sanchez Pappas of Mesilla, NM.

She attended Mesilla and Las Cruces public schools, then NM College of Agriculture (now known as NMSU).  She went on to attend Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tennessee, where she specialized in music education.  She met her husband there, Charles Noel Williamson of Asheville, N.C.   She was trained as a violinist and played with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra for many years.  She also taught orchestra for Albuquerque Public Schools for 25 years until retirement.  She continued to play the violin for various philharmonics and symphonies for many years after retiring from APS.

Helen was actively involved in various causes such as Citizens for Nuclear Safety, campaigning for NM legislators she supported, and also in her beloved Near North Valley Neighborhood where she held a position with the board of the Near North Valley Neighborhood Association.  Helen also enjoyed traveling to many places, such as Mexico, Greece, and Ireland, where she stayed for a month with a small group of her close friends from High School Days.  Helen loved entertaining and was well-known for her chamber music gatherings as well as hosting wonderful social parties in her old adobe home of 60 plus years.  In her later years Helen took great pleasure in listening to the opera on the local radio station KHFM, and going out to eat where she loved to people-watch.

Helen is survived by three children: Sylvia Williamson of Espanola, NM; Les Williamson of Mesilla, NM; Elise Williamson of Albuquerque, NM as well as five grandchildren: Corinna Williamson-Moore, Mariah Williamson-Moore, Jarret Williamson, Rachel Olney, and Sylina Peterson, and five great grandchildren:  Cassius Hall, Kenai Hall, Nyana Olney, Ari Olney and Adalyn ("Addie") Peterson.

The family cares deeply for all those who loved Helen and would appreciate any memories they wish to share of her.  Helen will be buried at the Masonic Cemetery in Las Cruces next to her parents and her brother, Ernest Pappas Jr. who preceded her in death.  A Gathering in her memory will be announced at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in Helen's memory to the Charity of your choice. The family would also like to thank Roadrunner Hospice and the staff and caregivers of The Villa at Old Adobe Trail, for the excellent and compassionate care Helen received.