Helen Williams Obituary Helen Patricia Conary Williams photo Born July 23, 1926, the youngest of six daughters of Ernest and Marie Hagus Conary, passed away in her home (or Presbyterian Homes apartment) on November 2, 2014, surrounded by her loving children. Patricia was a Little Red Hen at West High School in Minneapolis, and graduated from Northrop Collegiate School. During the war, Patricia and her sisters volunteered for the Red Cross, driving trucks to support the war effort. Raised in a family of strong women, Patricia majored in Zoology at Smith College, which further influenced her feminist beliefs. After graduation, Patricia returned to Min neapolis and worked as a Social Worker. Patricia married David Scott Williams on December 22, 1950, with whom she shared her life until her husbands death in 2000, just three months short of their 50th wedding anniversary. While raising her family, Patricia was involved in the Junior League and often organized Smith Day sales events. Patricia loved the arts, gardening, reading and tennis, adding serious study of bridge later in life with weekly strategy classes and games with friends. Patricia was active in the Friends of MIA at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and became a docent. Patricia was a member of both the Wayzata and Minnetonka Garden Clubs, particularly active in the Minnetonka Garden Club where she served as President and was a Judge in the Horticultural Division. She was also a committee member on the Wayzata Depot Gardens, the Historical Committee, and the Camp Courage Fragrance Garden. Patricia was an avid participant in floral arranging classes, with a particular interest in Japanese floral arranging. Patricia was not only interested in designing her own gardens and maintaining a varied orchid collection, she also propagated plants and received numerous Horticultural Awards. Patricia participated with her daughter, Julia, in Art in Bloom at MIA for many years. David and Patty loved to dance throughout their lives together and enjoyed the pleasure of two dance groups, Gymnopedics and Levitantes. Patricia was a great First Mate on both sail- and motor- boats with her husband, David, who loved the water. Patricia loved the game of tennis and played it well into her 80s. Bridge became her passion with her friends later in life. Patricia is survived by five loving children: Martha, Ann, Mary, David and Julia, as well as ten loving grandchildren: Christopher, Scott, Wadsworth, Sam, Peter, Madeleine, Zelpha, David, Henry and Elizabeth. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Helen Patricia Williams may be directed to: Frauenshuh Cancer Center, Park Nicollet Foundation, 6500 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55426 952-993-5023 or General Cancer Researc h, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 East Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202 410-361-6392. Please make checks payable to Park Nicollet Foundation or Johns Hopkins University. Gifts may be mailed with a memo indicating that this gift is in memory of Helen Patricia Williams. A memorial service will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Avenue, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2014.