Obituary of Helen J. Alden

Helen J. Alden, 87, formerly of 3 Laurie Lane and 152 Aldren Ave., passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa. She was the widow of Donald H. Alden whom she married May 15, 1954 and who died October 7, 2009. Helen was born March 10, 1931 in Bradford, Pa., a daughter of the late Oscar and Ruth Bergstrom Johnson, and was a graduate of Jamestown High School. In earlier years, she was employed by Marlin Rockwell in Jamestown and later by the Prendergast Library and as a keypunch operator by Promation. Helen was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church where she served on the church council, altar society and choir, as well as many committees throughout the years. She loved God and the bible study groups in which she participated. She also belonged to the American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation. Helen enjoyed sewing and knitting, artistic painting and ceramics, her book club, gardening (especially roses and vegetables) and travel. Her greatest joy though was her grandchildren and all of their activities. Surviving are three children: David Alden of Gaithersburg, MD, Daniel (Danielle) Alden of Wilmington, NC and Diane (Dan) Kling of Jamestown; three grandchildren: Bethany (Christopher) Lightfield of Dumfries, VA, Erin Kling of Cary, NC and Emily (Ryan) Harkness of Woodbridge, VA; and a great-grandson, Luca Lightfield. In addition to her husband, Donald, she was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Karlsson. The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in Jamestown's First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel K. Nagle will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home, and from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at First Lutheran prior to the service. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St., Jamestown, NY 14701; or to the Alzheimer's Assoc. of WNY, 2805 Wehrle Dr. Suite 6, Williamsville, NY 14221-7380.