Obituary of Florence Peterson

Florence (Smith) Peterson, age 98, died on January 3, 2014 in Manahawkin, NJ. She was born in 1915 to Margaret (Barber) and Leonard Smith in Philadelphia, PA. As a young child she moved to Pennsauken, NJ with her family. She attended Pennsauken elementary schools and graduated from Merchantville High School, class of 1933. In June of 1937 she married Charles Steiger Peterson, who predeceased her in 2007 shortly after their 70th wedding anniversary. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters: Barbara (James) Bishop of Philadelphia and Ship Bottom, NJ; Jeanette Peterson of Poughkeepsie, NY; and Arlene (Richard) Claffee of Lower Gwynedd, PA. Florence was predeceased by her siblings: Leonard, George, Arthur, William, and Louisa (Smith) Ellis. She is remembered fondly by her granddaughter and four grandsons, eight great- grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews (both true and honorary) and their families. Primarily a homemaker, Florence was an active President of the PTA of the Roosevelt Elementary School in Pennsauken, responsible for some of the most innovative fund raising fairs of her time. She also was known for trips with girl scouts to local circuses. Florence worked as a bookkeeper and secretary after her daughters were grown. She was an active, founding member of the Faith Community Church in Pennsauken, NJ. A quiet, loving mother and wife, she was exemplary in her faith, her homemaking skills, and her ability to pull a picnic together on a moment's notice. She loved sewing, knitting, playing bridge with high school friends until they were well into their 70's, cross word puzzles, and singing. For over 40 years starting in the middle 1950's, she made a summer home on Long Beach Island, NJ. This became a summer home for an extended family of children and grandchildren after her husband Charles retired. Their small cottage remains a magnet for the family today, bringing back memories of long, sunny days at the beach and warm, loving family gatherings. She died the way she lived, quietly and peacefully after many years of dementia. To the end, she enjoyed seeing her family and sitting quietly with them or singing her beloved hymns. Memorial Services will be held, Saturday, 11 AM, January 18, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Beach Haven Terrace, Beach at 130th Street, Beach Haven Terrace, NJ. Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, 400 Morris Ave, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834 would be appreciated.