S. Helen Elizabeth Ranney Harvey, age 93, died of old age on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at Foxdale Village, in State College, PA
Born in Derry, N.H. on November 4, 1913. She was the daughter of William H. and Susan Billings Ranney. She was the widow of the late Scott Heath Harvey of Amherst, MA.
She graduated in 1931 from Amherst High School, Amherst, MA, and from North Adams State Teachers College in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Harvey taught in Amherst Public schools from 1935 to 1943. She taught at Amherst Day School (a preschool) at Amherst College from 1964 to 1966, and at the Department of Human Development Laboratory School at the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst, MA, from 1966 to 1972 as a supervising teacher. After moving to Maine in 1989 to be near her daughter; she continued her contribution to young children by volunteering at the Penobscot Bay Medical Center's Childcare Center In Rockport, ME, until moving to State College in 2001. Over the years she has continued to guide the growth and development of grandchildren and great grandchildren with her knowledge of early childhood education, and recently even though wheelchair bound, shared her love of books with the young children from the Friends School who came once a week to a library program at Foxdale Retirement Community.
Always a generous spirit, Helen, gave many hours to her community, family and friends providing support and encouragement as well as gifts of food and friendship to those living near her.
She is survived by a daughter, Sarah S. Harvey and son-in-law, Dan J. Peterman of State College, PA; five grandchildren, Jonathan Wyman, Alyssa Radcliff, Timothy Peterman, Jamie Kagan, Scott Peterman and five great grand children.
A celebration of her life will be held at Foxdale Retirement Community, 500 E. Marylyn Ave. State College, PA 16801, on Sunday, June 24, 2007 at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory, may be to the Foxdale Retirement Community at 500 E. Marylyn Ave. State College, PA 16801.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 1034 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com