Harryette Gerhart Williams

Harryette Gerhart Williams died peacefully on August 13th, 2020 in Ojai, California. A beloved music teacher in her adopted hometown of Largo FL, many students passed through her music school, La Casa de Musica, over the past 40 years. She was the Choir Director and Organist at many churches throughout the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Harryette suffered for a year and a half from Lewy Body Dememtia which eventually claimed her life. Her two daughters were by her side, holding her hands as she passed.

Born Harryette Virginia Gerhart in San Antonio, Texas to Army Colonel, George Horner Gerhart and his artist wife, Sara Gehr Gerhart, Harryette was a military “brat” and grew up all over the world with her parents and her younger sister, Anne. As a young girl who loved music, it was discovered Harryette had “perfect pitch” and was bound to follow the path of music. After high school in Arlington, Va., Harryette attended The Pennsylvania State University graduating with a B.A. in Music in 1956. She was a member of the Phi Mu Music Sorority. While at Penn State she met Jack Haven Williams from Altoona, PA. and after graduation, the two were married and had two daughters, Tracey Lynn and Beth Virginia. Jack’s army career as a Judge Advocate lawyer moved the family to West Point, NY, Falls Church and Charlottesville, VA as well as Stuttgart and Heidelberg, Germany, where Harryette sang in the famous “Kammerchor” and where she earned her Masters Degree in Teaching. After a divorce in 1976, Harryette began teaching music in public schools in Charlottesville, VA as well as private piano lessons.

In 1981 Harryette moved to Largo, Florida where she started her own music school. She was accredited in Suzuki Method, Kindermusik and incorporated her many skills to create lessons that were unique and engaging. Over the course of the next almost 40 years, Harryette taught hundreds of students private piano lessons and group music classes.

A devout Roman Catholic, Harryette also directed many choirs and played the organ and piano for masses at parishes across Pinellas County, including St. Justin Martyr, St. Jerome’s, St. Patrick’s, St. Michael the Archangel, Blessed Sacrament, St. Catherine of Siena and others (as well as Protestant Churches, including Prince of Peace and Church of the Isles). She was a member of the Clearwater Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and also sang in the Master Chorale.

Harryette loved traveling and visited places all over the world with her many good friends. Her collection of photographs and memorabilia from Greece, Hungary, Turkey, Alaska, Germany, Ireland, France, China, Russia and other countries, filled a large bookshelf in her home.

Her 80th birthday in 2015 was a joyous celebration; the festivities included songs and stories and Harryette was surrounded by family and friends for the 3-day event. The next year, Harryette acquired her first dog, a soulful-eyed Coton de Tulear, who became her constant companion. She walked him everywhere and cared for him like he was her child. Phone calls to her daughters were full of joy telling the daily antics of “Doggie.”

Harryette will be missed immensely by her family, her wide circle of friends and her students, all she loved so much. Her humor, kindness and strength was obvious to everyone she met. Despite her busy life, she also managed to quietly serve others by often taking food to the needy and donating her time and talents.

Harryette is survived by her sister, Anne Bonanno of Burke, VA., her daughters Tracey Williams Sutton of Ojai, CA, and Beth (Bet) Williams of New York, NY, her grandsons Kieran Culliton of Atlanta GA, and John (Jack) Hodian of New York, NY.

A celebration of her life is planned for March 25, 2023 in Largo, Florida. Friends are invited to this memorial to honor the life of Harryette. Please contact her daughter at [email protected] for information.