Arlene D. Peterson

Mrs. Arlene Doris Peterson (née Peterson) peacefully passed away at her home on December 15, 2024, surrounded by her beloved family. Born on December 14, 1932, in Monaca, PA, Arlene grew up in a mill town where she thrived in trumpet playing, baton twirling, and basketball, graduating from Monaca High School in 1950. She was the first in her family to leave their small town and pursue higher education at Temple University in Philadelphia, where she earned a nursing certificate in 1953. It was at Temple University where Arlene met her future husband, George Peterson, Jr., an MBA student at the University of Pennsylvania. Arlene volunteered to type his master’s thesis, later rescuing it from a fire that destroyed her apartment, although she lost all her belongings in the process. This selflessness act would become a defining characteristic of putting others first throughout her life. Arlene worked as a nurse at Temple University until her marriage in 1956. In 1960, she adopted the first of her four children in Winston-Salem, NC. Throughout their upbringing, she often reminded her children that she had chosen them. As her family expanded, Arlene and George relocated several times, eventually settling in Garden City, NY, where she became an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. During the summer months, she would take the children on trips to Monaca, Long Island Sound, and Kennebunkport, Maine. Arlene remained dedicated to her nursing career, returning to school once her children were older to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Adelphi University in 1983. She then worked for Catholic Charities in Rockaway, NY, providing care to deinstitutionalized patients in local nursing homes. In 1993, Arlene and George relocated back to Winston-Salem, where she cherished spending time with her grandchildren, playing bridge with friends, and baking her famous crumb cakes and pecan pies. She was rarely without her morning cup of coffee and a glass of white wine (with ice) at dinner. After George’s passing, Arlene moved to Mechanicsburg, PA to be closer to her son Spencer and his wife, Karrie, who was also a nurse. Her son John recently moved to PA to be closer to family. Throughout her brief illness, Arlene’s positivity and strength inspired courage in her children, just as it had when they were young. Arlene is survived by her two sons, John Peterson and Spencer Peterson along with his wife Karrie; daughter Stacia Peterson; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her beloved husband George, daughter Alicia Arter, her parents “Pete” and Lucille Peterson, sister Willetta, brother Howard, and a granddaughter. A gathering to honor Arlene will be held on Friday, December 20th at 11:30 AM, followed by a funeral service at 12:30 PM at Musselman Funeral Home, 324 Hummel Avenue, Lemoyne, PA. Burial will take place at a later date at Maple Grove Cemetery, Kew Gardens, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Arlene D. Peterson

December 14, 1932 - December 15, 2024