Obituary of Mary Lou Peterson

Mary Lou Peterson Age 87, of Horseheads, NY, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2025 at Seneca Hill Manor in Oswego NY, after a lengthy illness. She was born on June 17,1937, a daughter of Glenn D and Florence (Huddleston) Williams, in Bradford, PA. She married the love of her life, Lionel "Jack" Peterson, in 1958, at Elmwood Baptist Church in Elmira Heights NY. They had a wonderful life, building a home together and raising their three children in Horseheads, NY. She worked as an administrative assistant first at Elmwood Baptist Church, then Southern Tier Hospice. Mary Lou and Jack were longtime members of the Horseheads First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed volunteering at the church. Camping trips were a highlight of family vacations through the years, including a month- long trip across the United States. The grandchildren have many happy memories as well of camping with Grandma and Grandpa. Upon retirement, Mary Lou and Jack spent winters in Florida for several years. They traveled far and wide with their Coachmen travel trailer club in the US, and also enjoyed many trips and cruises in Europe. Mary Lou valued education highly. She attended Elmira College part-time for seven years while working full time and raising a family, finally earning her Associate's Degree in 1987. She encouraged her children to pursue their education as well. Her children earned graduate degrees in Medicine, Education and Law. She is predeceased by her husband Jack in 2021, and her siblings Beverly Hannon, Patricia Krantz, Carl Williams and David Williams. She is survived by daughters Linda (Rene) Mandanas of Oswego NY, Betsy Galvin of Old Saybrook CT and son Daniel Peterson of Rock Hill SC; nine grandchildren: Laura (Jen) Loomis, Robert Mandanas, Richard (Janet) Mandanas, Sarah Mandanas, Thomas Galvin, Kristen (Julian) Leonard, Andrew Galvin, Christopher Peterson and Melissa Peterson, and one great-grandson, Marcus Mandanas. A Celebration of Life will be held in warmer weather.