Helen Deming Proctor Adamson
Helen Deming Proctor Adamson of Marietta was born September 17, 1925 in Barlow, Ohio to Frank Hayes Proctor and Grace Deming Proctor. She passed away on February 8, 2013. Preceding her in death was her husband, John Paul Adamson, who died in October of 1962. They were married on December 29, 1946.
Helen is survived by 4 children: Jan Gertz of Marietta, Jo (Lew) Erlwein of Marietta, Judy Adamson of Marietta, and John Adamson of Morgantown, West Virginia. Grandchildren are Lance Erlwein of Marietta, Ohio, Lee (Barbie) Erlwein of Huntington, West Virginia, Michael Adamson of Morrow, Ohio, Erik (Erin) Adamson of Batavia, Ohio, and David and Molly Adamson of Milford, Ohio along with their mother Becki Riley Adamson. Great granddaughter, Grace Erlwein, of Marietta also survives. Brothers and sisters are Jean Jones of Marietta, Ann Paskalides of Greenbelt, Maryland, Richard (Nelma) Proctor of Barlow, Ohio, Joe (Barb) Proctor of Barlow, Ohio, and Sheila (Louis) Thomas of New Holland, Pennsylvania. Also surviving are brothers-in-law Robert (Dee) Adamson of Whittier, California and Dean (Marilyn) Bartmess of Deltona, Florida along with sister-in-law Ruth Adamson Brown of Batavia, Ohio and numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen graduated from Barlow Vincent High School in 1943 and completed a secretarial course at Mountain State Business College in Parkersburg, West Virginia in 1944. She was a clerk and bookkeeper at Washington Electric Cooperative for two years. In 1963 Helen went to work at Marietta College, first as secretary in the Biology Department and then in the Records Office until her retirement from Marietta College in 1990.
Helen has been an active member of the First Congregational Church in Marietta since her marriage and has served on numerous boards and committees. She volunteered in the Title 1 program at Harmar School and for the Community Food Pantry where she served as treasurer. She was also treasurer and board member for the Women's Home in Marietta. Other memberships included the Oak Grove Missionary Society, the Chapter BH P.E.O. Sisterhood, and the Alpha Iota Alumni Sorority, a business women's organization.
Memorial services will be held on Monday (February 11) at 11:00 am at First Congregational Church with Reverend Linda Steelman officiating. The family will greet friends at the church on Monday from 10 – 11 am. McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements and messages of sympathy may be sent at www.lankfordfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church, 318 Front Street, Marietta, OH 45750 or Marietta Home Health & Hospice, 450 Pike St., Marietta, OH 45750. The family would like to thank Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to Helen.