Obituary of Gladys E. Peterson

Gladys Ethel Carlson Peterson, 88, of 101 Allendale Ave., Jamestown, passed away at 2:51 a.m. Saturday, October 17, 2015, in her home. She was born January 29, 1927 in Jamestown, NY, the daughter of Carl S. and Edith Erickson Carlson, who immigrated from Sweden in the early 1900's. Gladys was a graduate of Jamestown High School Class of 1945 and received her A.A. Degree from then Bethel Jr. College in St. Paul Minnesota. She enjoyed playing the piano since the age of 7, giving her own recital at the age of 10 at Washington Jr. High School. She had been the accompanist for the Mozart Chorus for over 34 years, and formerly accompanied a women's trio called the AARPS Angels. She was also the pianist for the former Chandler St. Baptist Church, now the Hillcrest Baptist Church for over 70 years. Gladys was a 25 year volunteer for W.C.A. Hospital. She was a longtime active member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church and following the death of her husband formed the WOW (Wise, Outstanding, Widows) connect group at Hillcrest that met monthly in her home, and was a volunteer for the MOPS Program at Hillcrest. She was a member and former President of the Allen Park Women's Club, the Norden Women's Club, a board member of the Mozart Club, and a member of the American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation. She took great pride in her Swedish Heritage and tried to preserve the culture for her children. She and her husband were awarded the Merit Award from the Scandinavian Studies Group at Jamestown Community College. She enjoyed her family and was interested in all of her children and grandchildren's many activities. She traveled all over the world with her husband and has many photo albums of these travels and of all her family. The grandchildren enjoyed getting her special photo birthday cards she made on her computer. Gladys loved her Lord and wants you all to know when you read this, "I am not dead, in fact I am more alive now than I ever have been before and am experiencing a heavenly, wonderful life for all eternity with my wonderful Lord, family and friends and when the time comes we will be at the heavenly gate to greet you with a smile". In the meantime—KEEP SMILING. Surviving are a son, Gregory L. (Cindy) Peterson of Lakewood, NY, a daughter, Becky D. (John) Yanak of Upper St. Clair, PA, a daughter-in-law, Susan Colander Peterson of Ashville, NY, nine grandchildren, Amy (Antonio) Peterson Luck of Detroit, MI, Megan (Adam) Peterson Galea of Hershey, PA, Brent Peterson of Washington, D.C., Jeremy (Lai Chun) Peterson of South Orange, New Jersey, Adam (Amanda) Peterson of Naples, FL, Betsy (Craig) Peterson Korth of Nyack, NY, Kristen (Dave) Yanak DiDonato of Pittsburgh, PA, Jay (Lissa) Yanak of Pittsburgh, PA, Scott Yanak of Detroit, MI, eight great grandchildren, Abigail, Benjamin, and Joshua Peterson of Naples, FL, Jake and Chace Peterson of South Orange, New Jersey, Ezra and Faith DiDonato of Pittsburgh, PA, and Lucas Korth of Nyack, NY Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Lyle S. Peterson whom she married September 4, 1949 and who died March 27, 2005, a son, Randall S. Peterson who died January 7, 2014, four brothers, J. Henry, C. Philip, Stanley and Harold Carlson and a sister, Ruth E. Marker. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday in the Hillcrest Baptist Church. Rev. Mark J. Hinman, pastor and Rev. Denis O'Pray, Glady's nephew, will officiate. Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 3-7 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Hillcrest Baptist Church Fund, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Robert H. Jackson /Lyle S. Peterson Memorial Lectureship Fund or the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Randall S. Peterson Memorial Fund, c/o The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701. You may leave a condolence to the family of Gladys at www.lindfuneralhome.com.