Obituary of Marie G Peterson

Marie G. Peterson passed away in Soquel on July 26 at 8:45 AM with her husband and son at her side. She is survived by her husband, James Peterson, her son Robert James Peterson, son-in-law Fred Pfister and his three sons, Jamison, Michael and Brian Pfister, and her last surviving sister, Gloria Coffin. Marie was born in Lisbon, Ohio, the seventh of 9 children to George and Bessie Nick. The Nick family moved to Detroit, Michigan about 1931 to raise the family, where Marie graduated from Commerce High in Detroit 1945. She worked for Hudson's Department store in the accounting department. She sang like an angel in the choir at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on the east side of town, where she met her husband James Peterson, the choir director. They were married May 15, 1949 (Yes 67 years). When they fell in love and married they wanted to have children. They adopted two beautiful children from Greece. The first was an angel named Sandra Marie born in Greece 7-6-1956 and was given to them January 1957 and they lost her February 26, 2014. She is now in heaven waiting for her mom. The second is Robert James born in Greece 1959 and was given to them 1961. He has beautiful twins Ashley and Evan. Marie followed her working husband around the nation. They lived in Detroit, Mi., San Francisco, San Rafael, and Des Moines, Iowa; also lived in San Jose, Santa Cruz and Soquel. They lived in their second home in Lake Havasu, AZ as snowbirds from 1989 till 2011. They retired in 1998 to Incline Village, NV. May of 2015 they moved back to Soquel Ca. While living in San Jose from 1959 till 1972 they attended St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and were very active members. They moved to Santa Cruz County 1972 and she helped her husband start a Greek Community that eventually became the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in 1980. Marie was a very exciting lady and a Gourmet cook, loving wife and dedicated to her children. In 2011 she adopted Molly (a Chua Hua mix) from Pet Network of Incline Village, NV. Many people have said that "if I was to be reincarnated I want to come back as Marie's dog". She dearly loved animals. Molly was on her lap till the end and is sad without her. Marie and James made a vow that marriage was forever and that the surviving spouse would keep the other spouse at home till end of life. James kept his promise and he cared for Marie during the last several years with the help of Alzheimer's Assoc., Del Mar respite care and the Senior Network of Santa Cruz County and finally Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Funeral services will be held at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 223 Church Street on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with graveside services following at Oakwood Memorial Park. The Trisigion service will be held in the church Wednesday evening at 7:00 P.M. Santa Cruz Memorial Oakwood Chapel in charge of arrangements. In place of flowers please donate to the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church of Santa Cruz or the SPCA.