Obituary of Mary Agnes Peterson

Mary was born 90.99 years ago on May 28th, 1926 to Frank and Mary (Judish) Popish. She entered the gates of heaven during the early morning hours on April 11th, 2017 residing now for eternity in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior. Born at home in Globeville (Denver) where she was raised in the Catholic faith while attending Our Lady of Grace church and was taught by the nuns. She graduated at the early age of 16 during the onset of World war ll 1942. Accompanied by her parents she moved to Portland, Oregon where she worked at a cannery and then landed a position with the Union Pacific Railroad working at the train depot. Portland is where she met and married her next door neighbor Vern Everett Peterson in 1946. They honeymooned in Cannon Beach, Oregon. The oldest of her 2 children Vern Jr. and Lorraine (Smith) were born in Portland, Or. 2 years apart. Returning to Denver after the war accompanied by her parents and in-laws 7 years later she gave birth to her 2nd daughter Bonnie (Brown) and then another 7 years later to Philip Peterson. During this time she began her lifetime career working for the United States Dept. of Defense at the Rocky Mtn. Arsenal, she was a contract administrator and received many certificates for the her many accomplishments. It was during that time she and her husband purchased property in Grand Lake, CO. and built a summer cabin with the help of her parents in 1957. They were the first to build in the division known as Villa Harbor Estates on the shores of Shadow Mtn. lake. In 1962 she transferred to the D.O.D. in Santa Ana, Ca. where she enjoyed their beautiful home in Yorba Linda. She had a palm tree in her front yard as well as many tropical flowers and vegetation and was surrounded by lush orange and avocado groves. They never forgot their little cabin in the woods and would return each summer for vacations for many years. After her retirement of 20 years’ service in 1973 they moved to Lake Elsinore, Ca. where she worked in catalog sales for Sears another 5yrs. During this time, they enjoyed their boat in Dana Point harbor and took trips over to Catalina Island while harvesting lobsters. She moved to Coeur d’ Alene full-time in 1992 and then obtained her property and home in Hayden, Idaho where she resided while enjoying all 4 of her adult children. Mary was an avid needle-arts enthusiast, artist, gardener and avid coupon clipper. Mary was also a great whistler. She loved going to Bingo in her little cart she drove around (buying it from the proceeds of a win at bingo). She was loved by many and lived a rich and full life with many experiences giving of herself in so many ways. She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Mary Popish, 2 son-in-law’s-JJ William Brown lll and most recently Harvey Smith and her first-born grandson Paul Peterson. She is survived by all 4 of her children Vern Peterson , Lorraine Smith, Bonnie Brown and Philip Peterson, Hayden, Idaho-7 grandchildren, Tim and Tom Peterson, Krissy Peterson, Sebastian “Cody” Vass, Molly M. Brown, Jennifer and Brandon Peterson as well as 6 great grandchildren and 2 recent great great grandchildren. She leaves many nieces, nephews and other cousins and relatives throughout Colorado. At Mary’s request there will be no services and wishes a celebration of life to be held after the restoration of her beloved cabin in the woods in Grand Lake, Co. also her final resting place.