Mary R. Peterson

Born on October 14, 1926 to Ruth and Leroy Prescott, Mary was the youngest of three children and was preceded in death by her treasured sister Sally, her brother Elliott, her favorite Aunt Alice, and her beloved husband, Bill. Mary's parents were part of Muskegon 's heyday. Leroy was President of Bennett Pump, one of Muskegon's premier manufacturing businesses and her mother Ruth, whose freshly baked Swedish rye bread became a valued gift, was stunning as one of North Muskegon 's leading ladies. As a youngster, Mary loved her dogs, swimming and diving in Bear Lake, ice skating on Muskegon Lake and was a figure skater with the Silver Blades Ice Show in the mid forties. Mary's sweet unassuming and gentle nature attracted friends easily. In fact, several of her earliest girl friends including Barb, Pat, and Ruth met regularly at each other's homes for over thirty years for what they affectionately called, (and we all came to know) "Club".... to share the stories of their unfolding lives and a special "club" dessert. All of Mary's boys, including Bill, knew when it was Mary's turn to hostess the event as it was always preceded by firm warnings about tracking dirt into her clean house (no easy feat for that crew) and a special dessert for dinner as she NEVER served anything to her friends without subjecting it to a Peterson Boys taste test before making it for "Club." However, Mary's best adult friend was her older sister, Sally. Together they would take afternoon shopping excursions that often ended at the Occidental Hotel restaurant to share a hot fudge sundae. When Mary and Sally got to laughing it was absolutely infectious... Mary would laugh until there were tears in her eyes and even if you didn't know exactly what they were laughing about, you couldn't help but laugh along! A classic beauty, Mary was a majorette in the North Muskegon High School band, majored in Art and graduated with an Associates Degree from Christian College in Columbia Missouri. Half a year later, on New Year's Eve, 1946, she married the dashing WWII veteran, Bill Peterson. Mary shared, shortly after Bill's death, that Bill had captured her heart in eighth grade! Together, Mary and Bill raised Jeffrey, Stephen, and Michael, each born barely a year apart, in a tiny home on Birch Drive in North Muskegon. In the early sixties, Mary and Bill bought the home three houses down, on the mouth of Green Creek, and Mary enjoyed watching the wonder of nature each day from her kitchen window. Mary was what is now called "a stay at home Mom", and nearly every year was marked with another hilarious Peterson Boy story. Mary's three active boys turned into athletes. Between football, basketball, baseball and track practices and games, Mary was often preparing three separate dinners and recalled the days when she couldn't keep enough food in the house to satisfy three adolescent athletes! She and Bill were faithful fans, and the boys can't recall a time when one or both of their parents weren't in the stands cheering every basketball and football game. Mary was quietly proud of her boys, a patient listener whenever they were troubled, insured each of them had the opportunity to attend college, and was arguably the best mother-in-law in the world to the girls they married. She delighted in her five grandchildren, was renewed by a great-grand daughter, and lit up like a Christmas tree whenever surrounded by her family. Despite the inevitable distances of modern life, Mary never missed a birthday, graduation or anniversary and over the years, UPS made a small fortune from the boxes that always arrived on time from Mom and Grandma. Mary's favorite holiday was Christmas and for those who experienced Christmas Eve at the Peterson's, that night will be forever defined by Mary's traditions. All who were lucky enough to receive it coveted her homemade chocolate and imported pecan covered toffee, which she had already begun preparing for this holiday season. For over forty years, Mary spent many an evening doing what she called "book work" for her husband Bill's business. Bill closed the doors of Peterson's Signs in 2004, where their youngest son Michael had worked along side his Dad since college. The man with whom Mary had shared a lifetime, passed in September of the following year. Mary was a artist in her own right, talented, resourceful and handy, she subscribed to home decorating magazines for decades and when not taking care of her husband, sons or a grandchild, her mind and hands were busy doing or creating something to make a room or the yard more beautiful. In another time, she might have been a very sought after interior designer. Mary Prescott Peterson left this earth late Thanksgiving Eve but those who knew and loved her will treasure the spirit and memory of Mary's uncomplicated, kind and gentle presence. Mary will be long missed by those who called her friend, the endless numbers to whom she was kind and, most of all and forever, by her three sons and their families, all of whom are richer for having Mary Prescott Peterson in their lives. She is survived by her three sons Jeffrey Albert (Jill), Stephen William (Linda) and Michael Craig (Mary), five grandchildren; Nicole, Tyler, Ryan, Christopher and Matthew, great granddaughter, Noelle and nephew Scott. The family will hold visitation for friends and family on Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 1-3 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon, with a special time of remembrance at 2 PM. Memorials may be given to Harbor Hospice for the loving care given Bill. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.