Helen Hedling Peterson

Helen Hedling Peterson, a woman known for her hugs, died on July 17, 2018 at 93 years of age in Burlington, VT. Helen spent a lifetime devoted to family as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and cultivated friendships that were sustained throughout her days. Helen was born in New Britain, but lived for almost 70 years in Newington. She graduated from Hall High School in West Hartford and was employed by SNETCO, where she was a dedicated worker until she retired in 1982. She was a loyal community volunteer for many charitable organizations. Helen never knew a stranger. She could walk into a room and start up a conversation with people she didn't know, making them feel comfortable and establishing friendships immediately. Most notably, she was a member of "The Club," a group of "girls of the greatest generation," that graduated from Hall High School during the Second World War and continued to meet for over 65 years, life-long companions. Helen was dynamic, always on the go, taking care of others, upbeat, and forever with a positive outlook on life. She had a profound effect on everyone she met and she did it with her love, sense of humor and unquestionable devotion to one and all. St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Wethersfield, was her special home. Her "church family" was vital to her spiritual development and they were often treated to her famous cardamom coffee bread and deviled eggs at church functions. Above all, Helen was devoted to her loving family, caring and nurturing two daughters, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom mourn her passing. She leaves behind daughters: Lynn Maiorani and her husband, Denis, and Deborah Hewett and her husband, Mike Adkins; adoring grandchildren: Jennifer Hedling, Kristen Serocki and her husband, Dennis, and Kevin Maiorani; and, great-grandchildren: Latham, Cooper and Kylie, who will keep her memory alive for generations. Helen was predeceased by her husbands, Karl Albert Hedling and Raymond Peterson, as well as her twin sister, Harriet Fritsch and her son-in-law, Jim Hewett. Please join us in a celebration of Helen Peterson's life to be held at 1:00 pm, October 19, 2018 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, a memorial donations in her name can be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 371 Walcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109 or Camp Calumet, P.O. Box 236, W. Ossipee, NH 03890. To share a memory or words of comfort with her family, please visit us online at www.duksa.net