Bruce Glikas/WireImage Helen Louise Williams, ' mother, has died. She was 85. The music teacher “peacefully passed away” the morning of Dec.
28 in London, her family said in an obituary obtained by PEOPLE on Thursday, Jan. 2. Helen traveled overseas for the opening night of in the West End, where Vanessa, 61, plays fashion editor Miranda Priestly.
Related: The trip was arranged “to celebrate her 85th birthday party surrounded by 150 of her family and friends,” the obituary said. “During her visit she suffered a major decline in health which ended her life.” courtesy of Vanessa Williams Her cause of death was complications of acute liver failure, per the obituary.
“Work the best you can and don't let anyone tell you that you cannot do something — ever! Make up your mind, prepare yourself, study hard, and be very, very confident,” was the message she would tell her students. Related: Helen was born on Dec. 8, 1939, in Buffalo, N.
Y. and spent over 40 years in the Ossining and Manhattanville School Districts. She was also a professor at Manhattanville College.
She retired in 1996. While working, she also taught private piano lessons to Westchester County students. Helen was an accomplished pianist who performed at music recitals and community and church events, in addition to working as concert coordinator and choral director before and after her retirement.
Bruce Glikas/Getty Her work reached outside of music as well. In 2012, Helen cowrote the best-selling mem.