Northborough – Helen L. Petino, of Northborough, died Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013 at the Beaumont Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility, surrounded by her family. She was 101.
Born November 14, 1911 in Middletown, Conn., she was a daughter of the late Leo and Jenny (Buckland) Santangelo. Raised and educated in Middletown, Helen was a graduate of Middletown High School, class of 1929. She lived most of her life in Middletown before recently moving to the Shrewsbury area to be closer to her daughter.
Helen was very active during her years in Middletown, including being the recipient of the Midstate Regional Committee on Aging “Citizen of the Year” award in 1990.
A 1929 graduate of Middletown High School, she worked for the Travelers Insurance Company for 20 years and in the credit office of Montgomery Ward for five years. She was the past president of the St. Pius Altar Society, the Catholic Women's group and the Middlesex Chapter of AARP. She was the past treasurer and chairman of the Midstate Regional Committee on aging and a member of the advisory council of both the Salvation Army's Adult Day Care Center and the local Red Cross Chapter. She was also very active in the Girl Scouts organization. Outside of her social activities Helen enjoyed quilting, reading and having lunch with her great granddaughters.
She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, George, and two sisters, Katherine Weirup and Josephine Coleman.
Helen leaves her daughter, Lynne M. Johnson and her husband, Jerry of Shrewsbury; two grandchildren, Sara Larson and her husband Steven of Charlton and Timothy Johnson of Boulder, Co.; three great-grandchildren Camille, Norah, and Shane Larson; and many nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held at the Connecticut State Veteran's Cemetery, where she will be buried with her late husband, George.
Honor Helen's memory with a donation to the American Red Cross, 209 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06032.
