Alice G. Peterson

On Friday, September 6, 2019, Alice Peterson, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away at the age of 94.

Alice was born on August 29, 1925 in New York City to Benhard and Signe (Karlson) Gustavson.  She was a public-school secretary for 22 years in Wharton, New Jersey.  On February 16, 1947 she married Ernest Gustav Peterson.  They raised two daughters, Karen and Christine, and one son, Ernest, Jr. “Chip.”

Born to immigrant parents from Sweden, Alice was the youngest of 7 children.  After graduating high school in New York City from an all-girls public high school, Alice began working at Mack Truck as a secretary.  World War II ended, and she met Ernie through her Swedish parent’s community club.  Alice would talk about their first apartment in Queens that was over a bar.  From that time, she never liked the smell of beer!  Ernie got a job at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey and they moved to Wharton where they raised their family.  Alice was a Girl Scout leader and volunteer fire department auxiliary President. After retirement, Alice and Ernie moved to their dream home in Melbourne, Florida.  Alice stayed there even after Ernie’s death.  At age 81, Alice moved to Laytonsville, Maryland to live with daughter Chris and her family for 8 years.  Alice’s best friend was the family dog, Jessie, who was a constant companion.  

Alice was a voracious reader and used her Nook to read at least 50 books per year.  Being so technologically savvy for her generation made her the envy of her peers at her assisted living home where she was a resident for 5 years.  She also enjoyed playing digital solitaire, Angry Birds, and Candy Crush.  Alice loved to banter with and tease family members, and laugh at us and herself.

Alice was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ernie, and cherished son, Chip.  She is survived by her daughters Karen Cizmadia and Christine Peterson-Tardif, daughter-in-law Cindy Peterson, grandchildren Peter, Dana, Erik, Whitney, Danielle, Samantha, and Jacqueline, and great-grandsons Ernie and Bruno, along with nieces and nephews.

A gathering and memorial of her life will be held on Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 at Barber Funeral Home at 21525 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville, Maryland at 5 pm. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alice G. Peterson, please visit our floral store.