Helen Elizabeth Hawthorne's Obituary
Decatur-Helen Elizabeth Hawthorne, 91, of Decatur, retired Rand McNally employee, died Monday, March 28, 2011.
Memorial gathering will be 5-7 pm Thursday, March 31, 2011 at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. Private graveside services will be held at Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Decatur Animal Shelter, Homeward Bound, or Cats Only. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Helen was born in Decatur on July 4, 1919, to Robert Neal and Grace Elizabeth (Hartley) Patterson. She married Richard L. Anderson. He preceded her in death. Helen worked at the Houdaille-Hershey plant during WWII on the secret Manhattan Project, building the atomic bomb. She liked playing the piano, reading, playing cards, and politics. She loved to travel and made several trips to Europe, including an adventurous trip with her sister Genevieve. She belonged to the People to People group, hosting foreign members and exchange students in her home. She also went on many road trips with her 3 daughters. She loved to go to the Senior Center to line dance with her friends there. Every year on July 4th, there was a family picnic in her honor. She loved her own cats and all the strays knew where to get a good meal. She was an avid Chicago Bulls fan.
Helen is survived by her six children: Jean E. (Glen) Sweitzer, Theresa L. (Lyle) Tappendorf, Richard N. (Shirley) Anderson, Carolyn D. (Alan) Arndt, Robert F. Anderson, and Kenneth H. Anderson (Cherie Garnette); sister Genevieve Johnson; special cousin, Elizabeth Baum, 20 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Jo Ann Johnson, brothers John and Robert “Pat” Patterson, and 2 great-grandchildren.
We have lost our family matriarch, our Mom, Grandma, Granny Helen, who was always here for us to give love, advice, comfort, help, and sometimes a piece of her mind. We’ll love you forever, Mom.
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