Pamilla Nadine Petersen

Pamilla Petersen passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on May 27, 2025 ,,, four days shy of her 88th birthday, May 31, 1926 in Farmersville, California, to parents William Worth and Melbourne (Melba) Raybourn, she was raised in the Modesto and Hilmar areas and went to Livingston High School where she met the love of her life Bill Petersen. They were married November 7, 1943, and had 73+ years of wedded bliss before Bill went to be with the Lord. They were blessed with three children – son Jim (wife Judi), daughter Diane (Darol McKinley deceased) and son Dan, eight grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, numerous great, great grandchildren and 1 great, great, great grandchild, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

She was a stay-at-home mom until 1960 when she went to work for Atwater Elementary School District, where she retired after 28 years as the School Food Services Director. Her love of community showed in the 12 years she volunteered at Merced Hospital and a life-long member of the Fruitland Woman's Club until her passing. Pam enjoyed reading, sewing, needlepoint, and gardening … particularly her irises. Her greatest love was being around family and friends. Something many did not know … Pam and several women in the neighborhood were spotters for enemy aircraft during World War II.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday June 14th, at Gateway Community Church, 353 East Donna Drive, Merced, at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in her name be made to The Generations Project, Gateway Church and New Beginnings of Merced County, PO Box 1045, Winton, CA. 95388 or a charity of your choice.