Shirley Marie Peterson

Shirley Marie Peterson, 93, of Williamsport, passed away Aug. 31, 2019, at home. Born Dec. 9, 1925, in Lock Haven, she was a daughter of the late Alfred G. and Heraldine (MacDonald) Wagner. Her father, a machinist with the New York Central Railroad, was transferred to the Harmon Car Shops along the Lower Hudson River. When World War II started, they moved to Williamsport to be closer to family.
Shirley attended her senior year at Williamsport High School graduating in the Class of 1943. Later that year, when she turned 18, she moved to New York City, took the civil service test and worked for the government in National Service Life Insurance.
When the war ended and her future husband, Howard K. Peterson, returned from the service in March 1946, Shirley left her job in May and they were married later that year. Most of her 46 years of marriage was managing and later owning the Hotel Kast in Newberry until Howard's death on Aug. 25, 1992.
She was a member of the Lycoming Presbyterian Church. She was on the Williamsport Area Women's Pool League until the age of 81 when her eyesight started to fail.
In 1999, she was inducted into the Voters Hall of Fame for 50 years of continued voting in the general election. She continued voting every year until 2017.
Surviving are her sons, Howard G. (Jeanne), and Neil K., both of Williamsport, and D. Scott (Deb), of San Antonio, Fla.; three daughters, Christine E. Atkins, Wendy M. Artman (Chuck), and Lisa L. Doebler (George), all of Williamsport; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren, eight stepgreat-grandchildren and four stepgreat-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Lynda L. Long, one nephew and four nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband Howard, her parents, two brothers, Alfred Jr. and Sterling Neal, son-in-law, Michael Atkins and one stepgreat-grandchild.
A funeral service to honor the life of Shirley will be held 10 a.m. Friday at Sanders Mortuary, 821 Diamond St., Williamsport, with Rev. Larry LeFeber officiating. There will be a viewing Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Shirley's name may be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Dept. 41831, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265.

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