Point Reyes Light - October 23, 2003
Helen Pederson, 87, Woodacre's 'can do' woman
By Larken Bradley
Helen Louise Pederson, a Woodacre resident for more than 80 years, died the way she lived –with a smile on her face– on Thursday, Oct. 16. She was 87.
Happy with herself and exuding goodwill to all, life was a joyous adventure for Mrs. Pederson. Much honored for her community service, she felt embarrassed by the accolades and attention, preferring to keep a low profile.
Outstanding leader
Recognized for outstanding leadership by the Girls Scout of America, Marin County 4-H, and the American Red Cross, she was also honored by Dominican College for her work tutoring children with learning disabilities.
In 1995 the San Geronimo Valley Pioneers named her Outstanding Volunteer. She worked to establish Woodacre’s Whistlestop senior lunch program, and was the founder of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church annual bazaar.
Born into a lineage of "can-do" women, as a young girl of 11 she was issued a special driver’s license from San Rafael’s Chief of Police to drive over White’s Hill to pick up provisions for her mother’s Woodacre grocery store.
She was born on Nov. 6, 1915, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Hilda M. Durel-Smith and Andrew B. Keir, who died shortly after young Helen’s birth. At age three she and her mother moved to Marin County where a maternal uncle owned a ladies’ dress shop.
In San Rafael her mother married Clifford Smith with whom she established the C.A. Smith Cash Grocery on Fourth Street. Just before the birth of their second daughter together, young Helen’s mother was widowed again.
After Mr. Smith’s death, Mrs. Smith opened another grocery store in San Anselmo, and later Smith’s Grocery, located at the corner of Carson and Railroad across from the Woodacre Lodge train station.
She was a member of the first graduating class of Lagunitas Grammar School where she was taught by renowned Marin educator Isabel Cook. She went on to graduate from San Rafael High School.
Picked up husband hitchhiking
She met the love of her life, Donald Pederson, when she picked him up hitchhiking with twin-brother friends heading over the hill from Fairfax to West Marin.
The couple married on Friday the 13th of March, 1936, at the priests’ rectory in Olema. Mr. Pederson spent his career in the Merchant Marines. At the time of his death in 1998, they had been married for 63 years.
Mrs. Pederson lived by the philosophy to "leave a smile behind," wherever she went, said her daughter, Ruth Plant of Woodacre. In times of adversity she taught her children to "be a fish in the stream and let it go by."
"I used to call her St. Helen," said longtime friend Adele Peterson.
Added her daughter’s sister-in-law, Leslie Plant of Inverness, Mrs. Pederson believed that "problems can be solved and life is good."
"She loved to be silly when things were tense," added friend Joanne Giddings of Forest Knolls, who recalled Mrs. Pederson creating levity by putting on a picture-frame hat and making those around her smile.
A talented craftswoman and member of the Decorations Guild at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross, she used recycled materials to create imaginative art objects. For many years she taught crafts at the California Recreation Lab.
Organist at St. Cecelia’s
A longtime organist at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church, she also loved to sing harmonies with family and friends.
In addition to her husband she was predeceased by her son, Eric Pederson.
Mrs. Pederson is survived by her daughters, Donna Juvet of Fresno; Mary Lou Raasveld of Long Beach; and Ruth Plant of Woodacre; sister, Eula Emmonds of Novato; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Chapel of the Hills, San Anselmo, followed by interment at Olema Cemetery.
The family has suggested that any memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Marin; or West Marin Senior Services.