Holly Coulter Peterson

1954 - 2025

Holly Coulter Peterson

July 21, 1954 - May 6, 2025

Holly Coulter Peterson passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, in Massachusetts, where she had recently moved to be closer to family. She was 70 years old.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 21, 1954, Holly grew up there as well as in Houston, Texas, and Muscatine, Iowa, where she graduated from high school. She went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa, where she met her former husband, Jerry Peterson. Together they built a family rooted in love, learning, and deep connection.

Holly was a gifted athlete, beloved teacher, dedicated coach, and compassionate psychotherapist. She worked for many years at the Women's Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and continued counseling throughout her life -- offering pro bono support to veterans, guidance to families in crisis, and fierce advocacy for women in need. She donated not only her professional skills, but also her time, resources, clothing, furniture, and food to anyone who needed a lift.

She was especially devoted to being useful, to helping wherever she could. She loved humans. She loved games, music, food, and laughter. She had a bright mind and a mischievous wit, a love for competition (especially on the tennis court), and a deep commitment to making life a little easier for others -- even while carrying her own burdens with quiet strength. Holly battled mental health challenges with grace and grit, and never let them dim her drive to care for others.

She is survived by her sons, Jacob Adam Peterson (Jenni Creed Peterson) and Daniel Ryan Peterson (Caitlin Marie Casey), and by her five beloved grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Wendy Ulfers (Mark Ulfers) and Molly Peterson (Frank Peterson -- no relation to Holly's side of the family but a delightful coincidence long enjoyed by all). She also leaves behind her former husband and current grandpa to her grandkids Jerry, whose love, support and shared history remained a meaningful part of her story.

An incredible singles tennis player, Holly brought the same energy and grace to sport that she brought to her life. One enduring image comes from her brother-in-law Mark, who remembers her gliding across the Mississippi River on a slalom waterski -- strong, steady, and radiant.

In keeping with her wishes and her lifelong dedication to education and service, Holly's body has been donated to Boston University for medical research -- a final act of usefulness from a life defined by it.

Her final resting place is in heaven, reunited with her beloved parents, Joseph Clayton Coulter and Beth "Gaga" Coulter.

A private memorial will be held later this summer with family and close friends. Details will be shared at a future date.

Holly's legacy of empathy, courage, playfulness, and purpose lives on in her children, her grandchildren, and in the countless lives she touched. She was endlessly giving, quietly brave, and fiercely loving -- and she will be missed beyond measure.