R. HELEN (PETERSON) THOMAS McCLARREN, 101

R. Helen (Peterson) Thomas McClarren, 101, of Torrance passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord, surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. She was born January 13, 1921 in Lloydsville (Blair Co.), the daughter of Edward L. and Teressa L. Peterson.

Helen graduated from Derry Township High School in 1939. She was a member of the Torrance United Methodist Church, in which she held many offices, until its closing. Helen contributed to the war effort during the manpower shortage by working for her father’s track crew in Torrance on the PRR as a whistle girl in 1943-44. She also worked at Torrance State Hospital, the Blairsville Police Department as a dispatcher, and at Rinaldi’s Pizza Barn as a dough maker. Helen’s lifelong passion was her everlasting devotion to her family. She loved hosting and attending family gatherings. Another favorite pastime of hers was camping and sightseeing.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased in death by her husband, J. Quentin Thomas; second husband, Milton McClarren; two sons, Robert E. and Kenneth R. Thomas; daughter, Deborah L. Simko; brothers: Edward, Jack, Richard and Victor; sister Florence; daughter-in-law, L. Jane Thomas and grandson-in-law, Clint Taylor.

Helen is survived by her son, Richard K. Thomas; daughter, Arlene F. Jones; brother, James Peterson; son-in-law, Norman Simko and daughter-in-law, Sandra Thomas. She had eight grandchildren: Theresa Simms, Victoria Shellgen (Luke), Kimberly Taylor, Christie Sever, Natalie Simko (Mike McFarland), Nathan Simko, Kathleen Thomas, and Michael Thomas (Jacqueline). She is also survived by numerous great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend special thanks to her caregivers, Wilma Miller and 365 Hospice.

Friends and family will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the James F. Ferguson Funeral Home, Inc., 25 W. Market St, Blairsville, PA 15717. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 7th at the funeral home with Reverend Craig Peterson officiating. Interment will follow in the Blairsville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Derry First United Methodist Church, 311 N. Ligonier St., Derry, PA 15627.