Daughter of Arthur L. & Maria (Svedberg) Peterson. Married John Sherman Williams Jr. in 1947; they were the parents of John Peter, Steven Douglas, Roger Grant and Holly Ford Williams.
Died at age 83 years, 8 months, 8 days.
OBITUARY - Herald-Sun, Durham (NC) - November 26, 2008
DURHAM - Elenore Peterson Williams, 83, of Durham, passed peacefully away on November 20, 2008, in the home and loving care of her son, Steven, and daughter-in-law, Barbara, after a brief illness.
Elenore was the daughter of Arthur Peterson and Maria Svedberg of St. Paul, Minnesota, where she spent her youth. After attending the music conservatory at Washington University in St. Louis for a brief period, she headed east to New York City, where she became a fashion editor for Charm magazine. She and her friends reveled in the excitement of post World War II New York, attending symphony concerts in Central Park conducted by a young Leonard Bernstein, enjoying musicals on Broadway, and making friendships with accomplished women that lasted a lifetime. While working at Charm, she was introduced to her future husband, a young advertising executive and recent veteran, John Sherman Williams Jr. After marrying in 1947, they moved to Schenectady, New York, where Elenore worked for the Schenectady Union Star before becoming a ready-to-wear buyer for Barney's Department Store. The young couple lived above a bowling alley, welcomed their firstborn into the world, and moved back to the New York City area to raise a family. Elenore and John enjoyed 48 years of marriage before John's passing in 1995.
As she raised her children, first in Carle Place and Locust Valley, Long Island, New York, then on the oceanside in Annisquam, Massachusetts, and finally in Greenwich, Connecticut, Elenore became actively involved in PTA committees, Cub Scouts, Sunday school, and a variety of family-based activities. She was politically active as a local campaign manager for Dwight Eisenhower and remained politically engaged all her life. She was an accomplished pianist and singer, an avid golfer and bridge player, and a close friend to many. Wherever she lived, she volunteered her time to church and such organizations as the Red Cross and Community Chest. When her children were grown, she returned to work, first as a real estate agent in Greenwich and then as a financial advisor for IDS in Cincinnati, Ohio. She and John had the opportunity to travel extensively in the United States and Europe on business. After retiring with John to Durham, in 1985 she became an officer in the philanthropic sorority PEO and chaired the funeral committee for her church, Westminster Presbyterian. She served her community through the Host Homes program at Duke Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and other programs, and was actively involved in two bridge groups of dear friends.
She is survived by three sons, John (Rosalia) Williams of McLean, Virginia, Steven (Barbara MacKesson) Williams, of Durham, Roger (Julie) Williams of Vienna, Virginia; and daughter, Holly (Tom) Mills of West Chester, Pennsylvania. She was the loving grandmother of Justine Williams, Glynn Williams, Kelsey Mills, Brittany Mills, Grant Williams, and Luke Williams. She is also survived by two of her sisters, Elsie and Anne.
Elenore had a great many talents, traveled widely, and enjoyed life to its fullest, but her greatest talent was that of a devoted and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She had an extraordinary talent for connecting with people and making friends. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. November 29 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3639 Old Chapel Hill Rd., Durham. Donations may be made to the church's funeral committee. Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of the Carolinas, Raleigh.
Died at age 83 years, 8 months, 8 days.
OBITUARY - Herald-Sun, Durham (NC) - November 26, 2008
DURHAM - Elenore Peterson Williams, 83, of Durham, passed peacefully away on November 20, 2008, in the home and loving care of her son, Steven, and daughter-in-law, Barbara, after a brief illness.
Elenore was the daughter of Arthur Peterson and Maria Svedberg of St. Paul, Minnesota, where she spent her youth. After attending the music conservatory at Washington University in St. Louis for a brief period, she headed east to New York City, where she became a fashion editor for Charm magazine. She and her friends reveled in the excitement of post World War II New York, attending symphony concerts in Central Park conducted by a young Leonard Bernstein, enjoying musicals on Broadway, and making friendships with accomplished women that lasted a lifetime. While working at Charm, she was introduced to her future husband, a young advertising executive and recent veteran, John Sherman Williams Jr. After marrying in 1947, they moved to Schenectady, New York, where Elenore worked for the Schenectady Union Star before becoming a ready-to-wear buyer for Barney's Department Store. The young couple lived above a bowling alley, welcomed their firstborn into the world, and moved back to the New York City area to raise a family. Elenore and John enjoyed 48 years of marriage before John's passing in 1995.
As she raised her children, first in Carle Place and Locust Valley, Long Island, New York, then on the oceanside in Annisquam, Massachusetts, and finally in Greenwich, Connecticut, Elenore became actively involved in PTA committees, Cub Scouts, Sunday school, and a variety of family-based activities. She was politically active as a local campaign manager for Dwight Eisenhower and remained politically engaged all her life. She was an accomplished pianist and singer, an avid golfer and bridge player, and a close friend to many. Wherever she lived, she volunteered her time to church and such organizations as the Red Cross and Community Chest. When her children were grown, she returned to work, first as a real estate agent in Greenwich and then as a financial advisor for IDS in Cincinnati, Ohio. She and John had the opportunity to travel extensively in the United States and Europe on business. After retiring with John to Durham, in 1985 she became an officer in the philanthropic sorority PEO and chaired the funeral committee for her church, Westminster Presbyterian. She served her community through the Host Homes program at Duke Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and other programs, and was actively involved in two bridge groups of dear friends.
She is survived by three sons, John (Rosalia) Williams of McLean, Virginia, Steven (Barbara MacKesson) Williams, of Durham, Roger (Julie) Williams of Vienna, Virginia; and daughter, Holly (Tom) Mills of West Chester, Pennsylvania. She was the loving grandmother of Justine Williams, Glynn Williams, Kelsey Mills, Brittany Mills, Grant Williams, and Luke Williams. She is also survived by two of her sisters, Elsie and Anne.
Elenore had a great many talents, traveled widely, and enjoyed life to its fullest, but her greatest talent was that of a devoted and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She had an extraordinary talent for connecting with people and making friends. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. November 29 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3639 Old Chapel Hill Rd., Durham. Donations may be made to the church's funeral committee. Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of the Carolinas, Raleigh.
Daughter of Arthur L. & Maria (Svedberg) Peterson. Married John Sherman Williams Jr. in 1947; they were the parents of John Peter, Steven Douglas, Roger Grant and Holly Ford Williams.
Died at age 83 years, 8 months, 8 days.
OBITUARY - Herald-Sun, Durham (NC) - November 26, 2008
DURHAM - Elenore Peterson Williams, 83, of Durham, passed peacefully away on November 20, 2008, in the home and loving care of her son, Steven, and daughter-in-law, Barbara, after a brief illness.
Elenore was the daughter of Arthur Peterson and Maria Svedberg of St. Paul, Minnesota, where she spent her youth. After attending the music conservatory at Washington University in St. Louis for a brief period, she headed east to New York City, where she became a fashion editor for Charm magazine. She and her friends reveled in the excitement of post World War II New York, attending symphony concerts in Central Park conducted by a young Leonard Bernstein, enjoying musicals on Broadway, and making friendships with accomplished women that lasted a lifetime. While working at Charm, she was introduced to her future husband, a young advertising executive and recent veteran, John Sherman Williams Jr. After marrying in 1947, they moved to Schenectady, New York, where Elenore worked for the Schenectady Union Star before becoming a ready-to-wear buyer for Barney's Department Store. The young couple lived above a bowling alley, welcomed their firstborn into the world, and moved back to the New York City area to raise a family. Elenore and John enjoyed 48 years of marriage before John's passing in 1995.
As she raised her children, first in Carle Place and Locust Valley, Long Island, New York, then on the oceanside in Annisquam, Massachusetts, and finally in Greenwich, Connecticut, Elenore became actively involved in PTA committees, Cub Scouts, Sunday school, and a variety of family-based activities. She was politically active as a local campaign manager for Dwight Eisenhower and remained politically engaged all her life. She was an accomplished pianist and singer, an avid golfer and bridge player, and a close friend to many. Wherever she lived, she volunteered her time to church and such organizations as the Red Cross and Community Chest. When her children were grown, she returned to work, first as a real estate agent in Greenwich and then as a financial advisor for IDS in Cincinnati, Ohio. She and John had the opportunity to travel extensively in the United States and Europe on business. After retiring with John to Durham, in 1985 she became an officer in the philanthropic sorority PEO and chaired the funeral committee for her church, Westminster Presbyterian. She served her community through the Host Homes program at Duke Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and other programs, and was actively involved in two bridge groups of dear friends.
She is survived by three sons, John (Rosalia) Williams of McLean, Virginia, Steven (Barbara MacKesson) Williams, of Durham, Roger (Julie) Williams of Vienna, Virginia; and daughter, Holly (Tom) Mills of West Chester, Pennsylvania. She was the loving grandmother of Justine Williams, Glynn Williams, Kelsey Mills, Brittany Mills, Grant Williams, and Luke Williams. She is also survived by two of her sisters, Elsie and Anne.
Elenore had a great many talents, traveled widely, and enjoyed life to its fullest, but her greatest talent was that of a devoted and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She had an extraordinary talent for connecting with people and making friends. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. November 29 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3639 Old Chapel Hill Rd., Durham. Donations may be made to the church's funeral committee. Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of the Carolinas, Raleigh.
Died at age 83 years, 8 months, 8 days.
OBITUARY - Herald-Sun, Durham (NC) - November 26, 2008
DURHAM - Elenore Peterson Williams, 83, of Durham, passed peacefully away on November 20, 2008, in the home and loving care of her son, Steven, and daughter-in-law, Barbara, after a brief illness.
Elenore was the daughter of Arthur Peterson and Maria Svedberg of St. Paul, Minnesota, where she spent her youth. After attending the music conservatory at Washington University in St. Louis for a brief period, she headed east to New York City, where she became a fashion editor for Charm magazine. She and her friends reveled in the excitement of post World War II New York, attending symphony concerts in Central Park conducted by a young Leonard Bernstein, enjoying musicals on Broadway, and making friendships with accomplished women that lasted a lifetime. While working at Charm, she was introduced to her future husband, a young advertising executive and recent veteran, John Sherman Williams Jr. After marrying in 1947, they moved to Schenectady, New York, where Elenore worked for the Schenectady Union Star before becoming a ready-to-wear buyer for Barney's Department Store. The young couple lived above a bowling alley, welcomed their firstborn into the world, and moved back to the New York City area to raise a family. Elenore and John enjoyed 48 years of marriage before John's passing in 1995.
As she raised her children, first in Carle Place and Locust Valley, Long Island, New York, then on the oceanside in Annisquam, Massachusetts, and finally in Greenwich, Connecticut, Elenore became actively involved in PTA committees, Cub Scouts, Sunday school, and a variety of family-based activities. She was politically active as a local campaign manager for Dwight Eisenhower and remained politically engaged all her life. She was an accomplished pianist and singer, an avid golfer and bridge player, and a close friend to many. Wherever she lived, she volunteered her time to church and such organizations as the Red Cross and Community Chest. When her children were grown, she returned to work, first as a real estate agent in Greenwich and then as a financial advisor for IDS in Cincinnati, Ohio. She and John had the opportunity to travel extensively in the United States and Europe on business. After retiring with John to Durham, in 1985 she became an officer in the philanthropic sorority PEO and chaired the funeral committee for her church, Westminster Presbyterian. She served her community through the Host Homes program at Duke Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and other programs, and was actively involved in two bridge groups of dear friends.
She is survived by three sons, John (Rosalia) Williams of McLean, Virginia, Steven (Barbara MacKesson) Williams, of Durham, Roger (Julie) Williams of Vienna, Virginia; and daughter, Holly (Tom) Mills of West Chester, Pennsylvania. She was the loving grandmother of Justine Williams, Glynn Williams, Kelsey Mills, Brittany Mills, Grant Williams, and Luke Williams. She is also survived by two of her sisters, Elsie and Anne.
Elenore had a great many talents, traveled widely, and enjoyed life to its fullest, but her greatest talent was that of a devoted and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She had an extraordinary talent for connecting with people and making friends. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. November 29 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3639 Old Chapel Hill Rd., Durham. Donations may be made to the church's funeral committee. Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of the Carolinas, Raleigh.
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