Deborah Peterson

1950 - 2023

Deborah Peterson
November 18, 1950 - February 24, 2023
Charlotte, North Carolina - It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of Deborah "Debbie" Peterson, a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and pioneering force in the Charlotte, NC financial industry. Born on November 18, 1950, in Montclair, New Jersey, Debbie was a bright light in the lives of her family, friends, colleagues, and clients and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Debbie is survived by her devoted husband, Dennis Jahn, who she married on December 28, 2011, and her three sons: Erik Peterson (Christie), Christopher Peterson (Jeanine), and Timothy Peterson (Britni). She was a proud and loving grandmother to Jeremy, Brett, Zachary, Cassy, Maria, Weston, and Bryce. Debbie was predeceased by her parents, Margaret and Richard Miller, and her brother, Geoffrey Miller. She is survived by her sisters, Pamela Cate (Larry) and Andrea Miller, her niece, close friend and colleague, Jennifer Meldrim; and many other beloved family members, colleagues, friends and her two dogs, Rambo and Princess.
Debbie graduated from Pulaski Academy and Central School in Upstate New York before establishing herself as a force within the finance industry. With a strong moral compass and unwavering integrity, she fearlessly asked questions and challenged the status quo, working tirelessly for her clients. Despite not taking the traditional route in education, Debbie pursued various professional financial credentials and industry-specific licenses, earning a reputation as a trailblazer in the financial industry.
In 2002, she founded Money Counts, Inc., marking the beginning of an illustrious 20-year career in finance, and partnering with her dear friend Nicole Milone in 2012. She shattered glass ceilings and received numerous awards and accolades. Those included: the George Pearson Silver Sales Award, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Woman Business Owner of the Year Award (Charlotte, NC), and membership within the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table. All are a testament to her determination and skill as a financial professional.
Throughout her life, Debbie was drawn to laughter. Those around her enjoyed the captivating storytelling, her love of dance, and her infectious sense of humor which brought countless moments of joy to everyone around her. She cherished time spent with family and friends, particularly at her favorite places: Cancun, Mexico, Upstate New York in early summer, the Carolina mountains, and the Florida Keys.
As someone who found nature both rejuvenating and relaxing, Debbie loved the outdoors, particularly the beach and being near the water. She was an avid reader with a penchant for crime drama, delighting in the strategy and problem-solving aspects of these novels. Football was another passion of Debbie's, and she was a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan who later embraced the Carolina Panthers when she moved to Charlotte in 1999.
Please join us in honoring Debbie's life on May 20 at a Celebration of Life event (details to follow), open to family, friends, and clients. The family asks that you consider donations to the following charities in Debbie's memory and because she wasn't fond of real floral arrangements: The Holiday Dinners Program at St. James Episcopal Church in Pulaski, NY; The Humane Society of Charlotte; and The Gathering of Moravian Falls, NC.
Together, we honor the extraordinary legacy of a woman who touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on the world and our hearts.