Obituary of Deborah J. Peterson

Deborah J. "Debbie" Peterson, 61, of Jamestown, NY passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at UPMC Hamot, Erie, PA of natural causes. At the time of her death Deborah was able to share her life and help others as an organ & tissue donor. Debbie was born Wednesday, October 1, 1958 in Jamestown, NY to the late Warren E. Peterson and Janice Card Peterson Camp. She was the oldest of five children. A 1976 graduate of Mayville Central School, she graduated from Rochester School of Dental Arts in 1977 after which she worked as a dental assistant and office manager for dentists throughout Chautauqua County for many years. She was also an office manager for a local insurance company in Fredonia and a baker's assistant in Jamestown. Always a creative, supportive and adventurous woman, her most recent business venture was working with her husband, Bob, at their company, Pete's Stump Grinding. Deborah had two handsome sons and was active with the sports boosters, at both Mayville and Chautauqua Lake Central Schools for whichever sport they may have been participating in, depending on the season. She was also their biggest fan and supporter when they decided to start a rock band called "White Wash Wednesday". They started as a very noisy garage band and she would go to watch them play at local venues often. It was a bittersweet moment for her when the boys decided to move the band to California but she took it in stride and sent them on their way with all the love and support she had to give. She was an avid reader and enjoyed story lines across all genres especially if she could learn something new. It wasn't uncommon for her to be reading more than one book at a time. Debbie was a gifted musician and loved to sing. She enjoyed being a member of the St. Mark Lutheran Church, Mayville and Laona United Methodist Church choirs over the years. She loved to collect turtle figurines and cobalt blue glass. Debbie was a devoted dog mom and loved to spoil her two "rescue" babies, Dio and Willow. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends especially when that resulted in an impromptu jam session of rock, country or even bluegrass music being played. She was a member of the Stockton Star Rebekah's Lodge #395, Chautauqua LEA #54, the Red Hat Society of Cherry Creek and was a past member of the Women of the Moose and VFW Women's Auxiliary. Deborah is survived by her loving husband, Robert A. Peterson, whom she married July 3, 2009; her sons, James (Carolyn) Wendell of N. Vancouver, BC, Canada, Jason (Lindsey) Wendell of San Diego, CA. and her step daughter, Cassy (Zachery) Pferrer of Warner Robins, GA; her mother, Janice and step father William Camp of Stockton; her siblings, Rev. Pamela Peterson of Red Lodge, MT and Sheila (Mark) Mayeski, Randall (Tracy) Peterson and Christine (Herb) Storer, all of Stockton, NY; and six grandchildren: Charlotte, Mason, Justice, Santino, Sadie and Richard. Also surviving is her mother-in-law, Donna (late Robert L.) Peterson of Jamestown; sister-in-law, LoriAnn (Matt) Waag of Cherry Creek; several cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; her aunts, Caryl Mattison and Fanchon Fuller of Falconer, NY, Doris Clark of Holiday, FL and Jeanette Mansfield of Lakewood, NY; and a plethora of cousins spread across the country, all of whom loved her deeply and will miss her greatly. She was preceded in death by her father, Warren Peterson and her niece, Brittney Peterson A graveside service for family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 22nd at the Greenwood Cemetery in Stockton, NY. Covid responsible social distancing will be observed. Masks are required. Memorials may be made to Chautauqua County Humane Society or any animal shelter near you, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or your local volunteer fire department. Consider becoming an organ or tissue donor; information is available through the Center for Organ Recovery and Education. To leave a condolence, please visit www.lindfuneralhome.com.