It is with great sadness that the family of Helen Maxine Peterson, age 96, formerly of 204 Second Street, Rouseville, PA, announces her passing on Easter Sunday April 1, 2018 at the Crawford County Care Center, after a decline in health. Helen was born in Oil City, PA on December 9, 1921, the daughter of the late John and Eleanor Timler Warcholic.? She graduated from Oil City High School in 1940, and was married on August 28, 1948, in the Saint Stephen Church, to Frank W. Peterson who preceded her in death in 1969.
?????In 1952, Frank contracted polio and became a quadriplegic.? Helen?s strength was apparent in her role as Frank?s advocate, caregiver, the children?s devoted mother and household breadwinner.? She attended business school and the Venango campus of Clarion State College.? She was employed as a clerk and secretary at GTE, Quaker State, Pennzoil and the Oil City Glass Company. As Frank?s primary caregiver, Helen enabled him to stay at home for sixteen years and be an integral part of family life with her and the children.
Helen was the tax collector for the Borough of Rouseville for many years and during retirement was a personal care assistant. She enjoyed being a member of the Business and Professional Women, The Republican Women, the March of Dimes and Saint Venantius Rosary Society. She was a volunteer at the Titusville Hospital and the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad. Helen will be remembered as an amazing baker. Her pies and chocolate chip cookies were legendary at family reunions and birthdays. Always with a smile and a Polish secret recipe ? her nut rolls, golumpki, and pierogies were a family favorite. Helen?s zest for life and love of physical exercise was present into her 90?s. Exercise brought her great joy, and she often enrolled in classes at the local YWCA.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers: Stanley, Joseph and Francis (Tex); four sisters: Mary Wiltanger, Ada Ford, Bernice Kresinski, Jane Warcholik; and son-in-law, Donald E. Stover.
Helen will be lovingly remembered by her children Larry R. (Jackie) Peterson of Fayetteville, GA; Nancy L. Stover of Cambridge Springs, PA; and Charles E. Peterson of Haverford, PA;? grandchildren:? Melanie (Chris) Harber, Justin (Lindsey) Stover, Ryan Stover, Damien Stover, Darren (Kayla) Stover, Charlie (Jill) Peterson, Bobby (Kristin) Peterson, Maggie (Ted) Enger, Ashley (Joe) Quin , Spencer (Carah) Peterson, Paige Peterson, and step granddaughters; Jackie Lynn (Johnny) League, Sonya (Jon) Kennedy,? great grandchildren: Alexandria Harber, Donald Harber, Dylan Harber, Logan Peterson, Morris Peterson, Mabel Peterson, Palmer Peterson, Lilah Stover. It is with great gratitude for Helen?s care we wish to recognize the staff at Crawford County Care Center and Southern Care Hospice Services.
Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 165 Beach Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403 on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at 10 a.m.? Msgr. Robert Brugger will be the celebrant, and Father Dan Kresinski, nephew of Helen, will present the eulogy. All are welcome. Interment will take place at Rynd Farm Cemetery in Oil City.
Memorial donations may be made to The March of Dimes www.marchofdimes.org.
Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a nice person – how lucky you were to have her in your life.
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. We were neighbors for a few years and enjoyed getting her paper to her on the porch and an getting an early morning smile going to work. My husband trying to do some snow removal and mowing at various times. Rest in peace Helen.
Helen was a patient with my father on the Mauve Unit at Crawford County Care Center. She always was cheerful in the hallways. She wore jewelry, and would compliment me and others on theirs. Shame I really didn?t know how really wonderful of a woman she was until I read her obituary. I will miss her smiling face , when I visit my father… My condolences. Sincerely, Eileen Curtis Roznowski
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. As a young girl I would go to your mothers house and bake bread with her. Take walks through the crossroads (along with the other children from Rouseville). Go to Maginnis store and get ice cream. Play with Hezekiah. What a wonderful time we would have! I’ve thought of her many times over the years and enjoy the great memories I have of her. She was a wonderful woman, and a great blessing to all the children in Rouseville who spent time with her. You can be proud that you had a woman of such magnitude of love and kindness in your mother.