Maria "Skippy" Peterson, age 94, a native of Antigo, Wisconsin and a resident of Lillian Alabama, passed away Monday, Jan. 14, 2019.
I am writing my own obituary to thank God, my loving family, friends, relatives, neighbors, fellow Catholics, teacher colleagues, medical personnel, including pharmacists, and staff who do the paperwork, Lillian residents and snowbirds, all the kind people who helped me arrive here at death's door, a happy woman.
Although born in Antigo Wisconsin, from the age of 2, I grew up in Atmore, Alabama, a Southerner who graduated from Auburn University as a chemical engineer and whose night life had spent with the Auburn Players theatrical group.
I started my career at St. Regis Paper Mill, and enjoyed my many years teaching at Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida.
My love of birthdays led to a list of birthdays of people I knew personally for each of the 365 days of the year, even Feb. 29. This led to the publication of the "Duchac Dailey." I wrote and sent this message to all my relatives and friends. "When the spirit moved me and the flesh was willing."
I have a love of learning, am a voracious reader, traveled quite a bit with Lyle and attended many educational Elder Hotels. My travels included refreshing visits to Deep Woods Lakes in Wisconsin near my birthplace.
For 54 years I have been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Lillian community and participated in many capacities including the ACCW, The Lillian Paper and Lillian Library, Girl Scouts, Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parades, Choir and Parish Council. I have enjoyed these endeavors and this journey on earth with all of you.
Preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Hugh Peterson, who passed away in 2012; a sister, Aileen; and brothers, Joseph and Duke David.
I am survived by our five children and their families: Clancy and Larry O'Donnell with Kevin, Colleen (Joel) with great-granddaughter, Quinn Riley, and Shannon with great-grandson, Kellen; Gregory Peterson and son, Damian, Lyetta and Rich Griffin, with Jeffery and David (Sammy); Anita and John Sanford, with Paul and Rachel (Brad); Bret and Lisa Peterson, with Brian, Mark and Amy. I am also survived by my nieces, Jahala and Janine Woods; and my nephew, Ronald Duchac.
A memorial mass for Skippy will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lillian.
A reception meal will follow at the Parish Hall.
Flowers can be sent to the church, or memorials may be made to Mary's Shelter in Elberta or the Lillian Library.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 25102 State St., Elberta, AL 36530, 251-986-3071, www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.
