Virginia Mae “Ginny” Peterson died on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at age 79, after enduring Alzheimer’s disease for years. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard A. Peterson, to whom she was married for over 52 years. She is survived by her two children, Jeff and Karin, her daughter-in-law Sharlene, three granddaughters, Hannah, Emma, and Annika, and a sister-in-law, Edna (Peterson) Hill. Ginny was born and raised in Quinsigamond Village in Worcester, graduating from Commerce High and Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing. She worked briefly as a phlebotomist but her real calling was to her family, being a wife and mother, and serving her church. There is nothing that she would not do for her children and she took great joy in being “Grammy” to her three granddaughters. She loved children, working for many years as a preschool teacher and volunteering through Scouting. Ginny was a member and then a leader in Girl Scouts for over 50 years. She also served with Howie in leadership positions for Boy Scout Troop 147. Ginny was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester. She cherished her many friends from Trinity with whom she volunteered, raised her family, and celebrated New Year’s Eve for over 50 years. She loved music, especially hymns, and enjoyed playing piano and organ. She was also a dedicated member of TOPS, serving her local chapter for many years. She was a woman of great faith.

Calling hours will be held at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester, on Wednesday, April 13 from 3-6 PM. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton on Thursday, April 14 at 10 AM. A funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on April 14 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster Street, Worcester MA 01609.