The family of celebrated musician Jean Hywel Williams confirmed this afternoon that the pianist died following a tragic road accident in Llanelli town centre on Saturday night.
The accident happened shortly after Jean Hywel and her husband John Hywel Williams had completed a successful VE Day concert at St Elli Parish Church.
“As a family, we are shocked and stunned by the tragedy,” said Jean and John’s son Jeremy.
“We are still trying to understand what went wrong.
“She was an inspirational teacher and an outstanding teacher. Her legacy is all around us in the singers of the Hywel Girls Choir and Hywel Boy Singers and the Llanelli Choral Society
“Even at this early stage, as the news of her death is released, we have been overwhelmed with the messages of condolence and many sincere and deeply-felt tributes which have arrived at the family home.”
Jeremy had been with his mother and father until a few minutes before the accident.
John Hywel Williams was driving his BMW car at the time, with Jean Hywel as the front seat passenger.
John received suspected broken ribs in the accident and is currently receiving treatment at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen.
John had parked his car in the pedestrianised area of Bridge Street between Llanelly House and the Parish Church, as was his custom for performances at St Elli’s.
Jeremy said: “The concert was a fun old night and everyone left the show in bubbly post-concert mood, as is usually the case for a John Hywel concert.
“Obviously, the exact cause of the accident is to be determined.
“My mother died at the scene.
“The emergency services responded quickly and very professionally, but there was nothing that could be done.”
It has been a difficult couple of months for the family.
Jean Hywel’s twin sister Joan died six weeks ago and her brother, the Rev Eric Davies, died just over a week ago.
Jeremy added: “If there was a suggestion that mum should have missed the VE Day concert following the bereavements, it was brushed aside. She was a firm believer in the maxim that ‘the show must go on’.
“Mum was a wonderful musician with a passion for teaching.”
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