Obituary of Barbara J. Peterson

Barbara Jean Pullan Peterson, 76, of 170 South Hanford Ave. W.E. Jamestown, NY, passed away at 1:30 p.m. Thursday (December 29, 2011) in her home after a difficult battle with lung cancer. She was born July 5, 1935 in Jamestown, NY the daughter of the late John and Myrtle Larson Pullan. Barbara was a 1952 graduate of Jamestown High School, and received her realty license from Jamestown Community College in 1986. After high school she worked as a Secretary for the Law Office of Robert Bootey in Jamestown, was a Secretary for Magnavox and Sears in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a Secretary for Kelly Girls in Charleston, West Virginia, was also a substitute teacher for 14 years for BOCES in Belmont, NY and a Realty Agent & Secretary for House of Realty in Jamestown for 10 years. She was a member of the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, the Thule Lodge, Vikings Lodge, and the TOPS Weight Loss Group. She was also a member of the Kidder Memorial United Methodist Church and later the Lakewood United Methodist Church. Barbara was a person who knew how to act like a lady. She was a mother who always cared and gave her best for her family. She was a wife who would put her husband first, a daughter who took care of her mother and father to the end and was a daughter in law who was accepted as a daughter. Barbara was a friend to all and could be counted on to do the right thing. She did not hold her tongue when she saw the reality of what was going on in any situation. She was an excellent grandmother to her granddaughter Annika and spent her retirement years giving her family quality time. She was a woman who put others before herself through physical acts of kindness. She took care of her father for eight years, in the twilight years of his life. She also took care of her aunt and uncle; Jerry and Viola, in their final years. She was a lady who the Lord will accept with open arms and will be missed by all. She is survived by her husband of 56 years Rodney R. Peterson, whom she married July 27, 1956 in Maple Springs. Her children Kathy (John VanHorn) Peterson-VanHorn of Ashville, NY, Thomas (Lorinda) Peterson of Jamestown, a granddaughter Annika VanHorn of Falconer, NY, a brother James (Louise) Pullan of Lakewood, NY, a sister Shirley Anderson of Jamestown, her extended family and her pet Layla. She was preceded in death by her parents: John and Myrtle Larson Pullan, her parent in laws: Russell and Gladys Berglund Peterson, a brother John (Jack) Pullan, Jr, a sister Mary Pullan Bellandi and her aunt and uncle Jerome Peterson , Viola Peterson. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012 in the Chapel of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Cathy Smith, Deacon and Chaplain of Hospice Chautauqua County will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received at a reception to follow the service in the undercroft of the church. Memorials may be made to the Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.