GLOUCESTER: Lila Ruth (Peterson) af Klinteberg, 80, died Monday evening, February 4, 2013 at the Addison Gilbert Hospital surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Sten Humble af Klinteberg.
Born in Boston on March 7, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Frederick W. and Elna M. (Matson) Peterson. She was a graduate of Malden High School class of 1949 and had attended Boston University.
She has resided in Gloucester since 1964, however her family had summered in Lanesville since she was a baby. She loved spending time at Plum Cove Beach.
Well-known for her Anadama and Finnish Nisu, along with her husband, she ran a residential bakery for the past forty years. Lila was also an executive secretary at Skidmore Owings & Merrill, Hotel Corporation of America, and Isidor Richmond & Carney Goldberg, where she met her husband, Sten. She later worked as a secretary at the Downtown Development Commission for the City of Gloucester.
She was a longtime member of the Uljas Koitto Temperance Society in Pembroke, MA, where she spent many summer vacations with her family, sitting lakeside and playing Scrabble on the porch. An animal lover through and through, she was a member of numerous humane societies. She was also a well-loved assistant troop leader for the Girl Scouts.
Standing six feet tall, with a quick wit, kind heart and easy smile, Lila made deep and lasting impressions on all whom she met. She was fiercely loyal to her family and always supportive of her children through many growing pains and life’s adventures. She was renowned for welcoming many with open arms into the family's home in Lanesville for as long as needed.
In addition to her husband of fifty years, she is survived by her children, Kirsten af Klinteberg, Astrid af Klinteberg, wife of Fred Day, Greta, wife of Tory Bagshaw and Elin di Angelo, fiancée of Michael Frontiera; grandchildren, Carson af Klinteberg and Elias di Angelo; her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Robert Edkins; sister, Dr. Astrid O. Peterson; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Sten Humble af Klinteberg, III; her sister and two brothers-in-law, Jean and Walter Chambers and Richard Swanstrom; sister-in-law, Greta Marston; and her nephew, Peter G. Marston, Jr.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 24th at 3:30 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1123 Washington St., Gloucester, MA followed by a reception at the Lanesville Community Center.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge to benefit Dana-Farber Cancer institute. Visit www2.pmc.org/profile/KA0017 to donate online or mail to the PMC, 77 Fourth Ave., Needham, MA 02494 (Gift ID: KA0017). Lila was a three-time cancer survivor and patient of Dana-Farber so her daughter, Kirsten, will be riding across Massachusetts in her memory this summer. Donations can also be made to honor her love of animals at the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930.