Helen Constance (Hilbert) Peterson

Helen Constance Hilbert Peterson, 92, of Meadville, died peacefully Sunday, March 4, 2012.

She was born June 26, 1919 in Corning, NY, a daughter of Helen and Otto Hilbert.  She graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Home Economics, spending a semester interning at Hull House in Chicago.  She later earned a Master’s degree in Child Development from Kansas State University while running their nursery school program.  After graduate school, Helen returned to her home town to run a nursery school.  In June 1945, she married Milton M. Peterson.  Helen devoted her life to caring for other people.  She raised three children who survive her:  Karen Lingelbach and her husband Kenneth of Tucson, AZ, Karl Peterson and his wife Martine of Sandia Park, NM, and Kirsten Peterson and her husband Ed Walsh of Meadville.  She is also survived by two granddaughters, Siobhan and Alexandra and two great-grandsons.

Helen also became a mother to international students from Germany, Denmark, Finland, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.  Although many of these individuals were college students in the U.S., two of them lived with the Peterson family for a full year.  Serving as an American Field Service advisor, she offered her expertise as a host parent to many other families.  Helen loved to travel, and was thrilled to be able to visit some of her international children in their home countries.

In addition to caring for her immediate and extended family, Helen volunteered hundreds of hours of service to the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, Christ Episcopal Church, and many other community organizations in Corning.  In recognition of her extensive volunteer service, Helen was awarded the Errol Shand Award in 1995 for outstanding service to the Corning area.  A devoted member of the Corning Clionian Circle, a women’s study group, Helen served as president of the organization, and eventually as an honorary member.  Known as a good friend and problem solver, many people sought her counsel and considered her a confidante.  She was a talented knitter who supplied her family with beautiful afghans and sweaters, and countless babies with bonnets and booties.  For many years, she supplied the Salvation Army with 100 pairs of mittens for the annual Christmas mitten tree.  Helen was called upon often to help solve knitting problems for others.

In 2002, after the death of her husband, Helen moved to Meadville and spent the remainder of her life as a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Community.  In keeping with her tradition of helping others, she became a “good neighbor,” welcoming new residents to the community.

There are no calling hours.

A memorial service will be held at a future date and time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, 1087 Park Ave., Hospice of Crawford County, 446 Pine St., or the Wesbury Benevolent Care Fund, 31 N. Park Ave., all of Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

Share your memories and condolences at waidfuneralhome.net.