Obituary of Helen N. Campbell

Helen N. Campbell, 96, formerly of Carlson Tower on Aldren Avenue (LSS Campus) died peacefully on Monday Jan. 23, 2017 at WCA Hospital. She was born Helen Adele Nelson on December 31, 1920, and was the daughter of the late Ernest L. and Ada L. Nelson. Helen was a graduate of Jamestown High School and of Baldwin-Wallace College where she majored in French. Following her graduation in 1942 she supported the war effort in both civilian and military roles. She worked briefly in accounting at General Electric in Schenectady, NY; she and a number of other young women were recruited to fill positions left vacant by the draft. In May 1943 she entered the military as a commissioned officer in the US Navy (WAVES), and served throughout WWII and until early 1946 in the Naval Supply Corps at the Charleston Navy Yard, attaining the rank of Lt. J. G. After the war, Helen returned to Jamestown and was employed as a buyer for the family business, Nelson's Department Store. Also upon her return to Jamestown she met Ellis M. Campbell, who had relocated from Pittsburgh to Jamestown to work for Marlin-Rockwell Corp. They were married in 1954. Helen was later employed by the Jamestown Public School System, serving as a Library Aide at Washington Jr. High School, and by Alltel as an operator and customer service representative, retiring in 1984. After retirement, she pursued a number of interests including travel, playing bridge, solving puzzles, and Tai Chi. She particularly enjoyed several intergenerational Elderhostel adventures with her grandson, Ellis Montgomery. Helen was an avid reader and lifelong learner, a great conversationalist and a great listener. She appreciated the friendship of many throughout the years, and was particularly grateful for the friendship, assistance and support she received from many kind people in her later years. She was ordained as an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church and also served as a volunteer at the Fenton Historical Society, Roger Tory Peterson Institute, St. Susan's Soup Kitchen, Literacy Volunteers, and Readers for the Blind. She was preceded in death by her husband Ellis M. Campbell in 1990, and also by her sisters Rachel Sanctuary and Ruth Seagard. Surviving are her daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Spencer Drake of Jamestown and Ann Campbell and Jeff Wighaman of Albuquerque, NM; and her grandson, Ellis Montgomery of Jamestown. A memorial service will be held at 1 pm Thursday, January 26 in Bellinger Chapel of First Presbyterian Church. A reception will be held immediately thereafter in the church's Fellowship Hall - friends and family are invited to attend either or both. Memorials in Helen's memory may be made to the Falconer Public Library, 101 W. Main St Falconer, NY 14733; or to the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, 509 Prendergast Ave, Jamestown NY 14701.