Gladys M. Petersen

Gladys M. Petersen (Goodwin), 88, of Manchester passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, at Manchester Memorial Hospital, with her family at her side.

She was the wife of Russell T. Petersen, her high school sweetheart, who predeceased her. She was born in Hartford and grew up in Bloomfield. After getting married, she moved to Manchester, where she lived for the remainder of her life. She was a wonderful housewife, devoted to her husband and children. She also worked at Bowers Elementary School and the Journal Inquirer. In her early retirement she enjoyed gardening, decorating her home for almost any holiday, and always stayed busy with many knitting, latch hook and needlepoint projects. She also loved spending time at Cape Cod with her family. She enjoyed watching sports, in particular UConn women's basketball and golf. The sports she most liked watching, however, were those played by her grandchildren. She would always be seen at various sporting events that they participated in. She was very devoted to her grandchildren. She was a member of Center Congregational Church in Manchester. She was also a longtime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Manchester Fire Department, 8th District. She will be dearly missed by all the people whose lives she has touched.

She is predeceased by a daughter, Judy. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Bernie and Darlene Niedzielski of Manchester and Steve and Diane Petersen of Manchester; and five grandchildren, Ashley Petersen and Ben Petersen of Manchester, Stacy Martinchek and her husband, John, of Vernon, Tom White and his wife, Tammy, of Enfield, and Bill White of South Windsor. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be at Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St, Manchester, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 4 to 8 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 11, followed by a burial in East Cemetery in Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation Inc., Connecticut Chapter, 35 Cold Spring Road, Suite 411, Rocky Hill, CT 06067; or the Manchester Fire Department, 8th District, Ladies Auxiliary, 138 Main St., Manchester, CT 06042.