North Grafton: Doris E. (Peterson) Hallen, 98, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 15, 2022 in the family home. She leaves four children—Richard Hallen and his wife Gail of Worcester, Nancy Hallen and her husband John Canestraro of North Grafton, David Hallen and his wife Deborah of Rutland, and Linda Christie of Germany; four grandchildren—Emily Hallen, Clarissa Petrie-Hallen and her husband Shawn, Julia Canestraro Langer and her husband David, and Erica Canestraro Meretzky and her husband Dan; three great grandchildren—Scarlett and Cecily Langer, and Sebastian Petrie-Hallen; a sister, Grace MacKirdy of Pennsylvania; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in 1983 by her husband of 36 years, Roland C. Hallen, her brother Earl Peterson, and sisters Gladys Peterson, Nancy Peterson, and Mae Edwards.
Doris was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Claus and Siri (Nelson) Peterson. After graduating from Commerce High School, she worked in the public library, including time on an early Worcester bookmobile. She worked alongside her husband in the family business, Lincoln Precision Machining Company, doing bookkeeping at night while she raised her children and retiring as president in the early 1990s.
She was a dedicated and active member of Worcester’s Epworth United Methodist Church and its Naomi Circle women’s group. Over 85 years of active participation she organized and led the Senior Fellowship for retired folk, served as treasurer and on all of the church committees (often several times), and planned many events and fellowship opportunities.
She spent many years as a Girl Scout leader, was a long-time member of the Music Guild of Worcester, and served on the Board of Directors of All Faiths Cemetery and the NEUM Credit Union. She enjoyed gardening, all kinds of needlework, traveling (especially to Marco Island in Florida), and entertaining family and friends with grace and style.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester. Burial will follow at All Faiths Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service will be held on June 24, 2023 at Epworth Church at 1:30 p.m. In remembrance, contributions may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, Memorial Fund, 64 Salisbury St. Worcester, MA. 01609. To leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.