Obituary of Norma A. Peterson

Norma Althea MacKenney Peterson of The Cedars, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, formerly of Westport, Connecticut, wife of Robert Edwin Peterson for 65 years, died Saturday, November 19th, at her home. Mrs. Peterson, daughter of the late Leroy N. and Grace E. MacKenney of Duxbury, MA, was born in Oakland, Maine. Having grown up in Duxbury where she was graduated from high school in 1941, she returned to her Maine roots, receiving her BA degree in Psychology and English from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1945. Her varied employment history included such interesting jobs as docent for the John Alden House in Duxbury, assistant to the personnel director for a munitions company in Hanover, MA, during World War II, claims adjuster for Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston, a service representative for NJ Bell, and twenty years as a substitute teacher in the Westport, CT, school system. Long active in community affairs, Mrs. Peterson served on the Connecticut Commission for the Elderly, as Vice President of Opera New England in Fairfield County, and as Vice President of Connecticut Alliance for Music. While living in Ohio in the 1960’s, she served as an AAUW President and Secretary of the League of Women Voters. PTA president was yet another way she served the community. Mrs. Peterson was a member of the national sorority, Chi Omega, as well as The Fernald League and The Fernald Corporation. During her thirty-seven years in Westport, CT, she belonged to the Greens Farms Garden Club, the Patterson Club, and Christ and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. She loved flowers and her garden, and also enjoyed writing, knitting, reading, and playing bridge. After moving to Cary, NC, in 2002, she was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Prestonwood Country Club. She had lived in Chapel Hill since 2006. She was predeceased by her brother, Leroy N. MacKenney, Jr, of Waverly, MA. Survivors, in addition to her husband, include daughter Pamela Peterson Johnson, of Raleigh, NC, son Robert E. Peterson, Jr, of Concord, CA, son Roy A. Peterson of New Carrollton, MD, four grandchildren - Erin Johnson Lewis, Althea Johnson, Britta Peterson, and Max Peterson - and one great-grandchild, Finley Grace Lewis. Interment will be in Mayflower Cemetery, Duxbury, MA, where there will be a graveside service on Friday, November 25 at 1:00 PM. Donations in her memory may be made to your local chapter of the Salvation Army.