Obituary of Helen L. Peterson

Helen (Leonard) Peterson, 102, died on December 15, 2011. She was born on July 15, 1909 to William and Margaret Leonard in Taunton. She married Malcolm F. Peterson, of Duxbury, on June 29, 1942, whom she met while serving in the US Army during World War II. Helen honorably served as a flight nurse during the war and participated in excess of 1,000 hours on transatlantic flights between Paris and the US and was responsible for the care of the wounded soldiers. Helen would glow with pride when she would tell people that she never lost a wounded soldier on her flights. As a 1st Lt., Helen's achievements included the European Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon and the Meritorious Service Unit Award. After the war, Helen would become the school nurse within the Kingston School District, where she served for many years until her retirement. All who knew Helen remember her spitfire and passionate personality. She loved her knitting and made beautiful sweaters, hats and scarves. She also made beautiful braided rugs. In later years, when she lost her eyesight, her husband lovingly read her directions so she could continue to knit. Helen loved to garden and had quite the green thumb. She was predeceased by her husband, parents, two sisters, Marion Angell and M. Hazel Geary, a niece, Natalie (Angell) Burns, and two nephews, Richard Angell and John Geary. She is survived by two nieces, Nancy (Angell) Lovejoy of Wayne, Maine and Lynne (Geary) Fournier of Belmont, NH, as well as several grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews. A memorial funeral Mass will be held at Saint Joseph's Church, 272 Main Street, (Route 106), Kingston, on Tuesday, December 27 at 9:00 AM. Interment will follow at the Mayflower Cemetery, Tremont Street, Duxbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 272 Main Street, Kingston, MA 02364.