Helen E. Peterson

Helen Peterson passed away peacefully on January 28, 2013 at Living Care Retirement Community. Helen was born on April 17, 1919 to John and Eva Peterson and was raised on the family farm in Woodbine, Iowa. When she was 16, her mother died, leaving Helen to take on increased family responsibilities with her two brothers and younger sister. Because she cut her teeth on The New Deal, Helen viewed education as a debt owed to future generations. When she went to college at Buena Vista University to earn her B.A. in Education, she took her younger sister, Ardith, with her, tagging along to classes. After receiving her Masters Degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Helen continued to take workshops and classes at Columbia University and the University of Washington throughout her 42-year career in public education. She also taught education courses for Central Washington University.

After Helen's first teaching job in Ute, Iowa she left her family and came to the

northwest in 1948 as an elementary teacher for the Yakima School District. She later

served as an elementary principal, and from 1955 until her retirement in 1981, was the

district director of Curriculum and Instruction. During her tenure in Yakima, she was

instrumental in developing programs to support children and parents, including Head

Start, Home Base, Follow Through, Early Childhood Education, Backyard Centers,

'parent Festivals, and prenatal classes at Memorial Hospital. Helen is remembered by one

of her colleagues as "a strong leader who added a little zest and a boost of laughter to the

difficult tasks of prioritizing time and money and making decisions critical to students

and staff in the district."

As important as was Ms Peterson's contribution to early childhood education, it was only

a small part of her total commitment to the improvement of education in the Yakima

School District. She was a respected curriculum and instruction leader with policy

makers and educators statewide. Dr. Warren Dean Starr, who was superintendent during

this time period, said "Yakima School District has the finest manager of its Curriculum

and Instruction Department in the State of Washington. In 1980 the Yakima Herald-

Republic named Helen "Person of the Year" for her leadership in education and for her

service to the community and students and parents of the Yakima School District

Throughout her career, Helen fought many fierce battles as an advocate for funding

public education; one of her final questions shortly before her death was "Will there be

enough money to fund the schools this year?"

In retirement, Helen continued her contribution to the profession by serving as an editor

of the first Principal's Guide to Crisis Management which went on to become a national

model for school crisis intervention. When you live to be 90+, there are many phases to

your life and many different interests. An avid reader and photographer, she enjoyed

hiking and drives in the Cascades with her dear friend, Nedra Callard, and brought home

pictures from good times spent with friends who shared many wonderful years in Kauai

and Desert Hot Springs. She learned to grow roses and took this on with a passion. Helen

especially enjoyed showing off her beloved Washington State to her sister, brothers,

nieces, nephew and their families during coveted summer vacations. This Iowa born girl

became a true Washingtonian who remained proud of her deep Midwestern roots.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Donald and Robert Peterson,

and sister, Ardith Lapour. She is survived by her nephew, Douglas Peterson (Linda

Woodhouse) of Alexandria, Virginia, three nieces, Janis Peterson (Carl Gonser) of San

Rafael, CA, Elaine Drake Lake San Marcos, CA, and Linda Walker (Dave) of Jefferson,

Iowa, sister-in-law Kay Peterson, San Marcos, CA, and a very large extended family of

friends who loved her dearly. Helen wished to extend special love and appreciation to

longtime friend Peg Stapleton, for her special care, attention, and generosity during

Helen's later years. She also expressed her gratitude to the staff at Living Care for their

kindness, care and support.

Helen Peterson made a difference in the lives of children and her community. She cared

deeply for her family and circle of friends. She will be deeply missed.

Per Helen's request, no services will be held. Memorial contributions may be sent to

Children's Village (c/o Memorial Foundation, 2701 Tieton Drive, Yakima 98902) or the Yakima Schools Foundation (6 South 2nd St., Suite 919, Yakima 98901). To share a memory of Helen, visit www.keithandkeith.com.