Alberta Peterson

Alberta Curry Peterson, 94, passed away peacefully in Hillsboro, Oregon, surrounded by family on the evening of September 29, 2025.

Born in El Paso, Texas, on November 21, 1930, Alberta was raised, with her brother Jack, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This small college town life prepared her well for her eventual move to Corvallis. Always a high achiever, Alberta excelled in school and also played the organ for her church while she lived at home. She earned her first degree at NMSU right there in town, where she could live at home and walk across the street to classes. Sometimes the family dog snuck out of the house to find her in lectures. To Alberta's embarrassment, everyone knew Poochie!

For her Masters work, Alberta attended Texas Tech where she studied Clothing and Textiles for her degree. While still a student, she had the glorious opportunity to travel with a like-minded educational group to Europe, where they toured textile manufacturers and attended fashion shows, among other things.

After graduation, Alberta took a position teaching Clothing and Textiles at Kansas State University. It was during her years there that she met her beloved husband, John, on a blind date. She was delighted that he was so handsome, and (more importantly) tall! They married in 1959, moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and then to Corvallis in 1964 where they spent many happy years.

As well as being a loving mom to her three children, Margaret, Charlie, and Connie, Alberta was active in First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon, played in the bell choir, took organ lessons, and participated in many other activities; PEO, enjoying the newsletters long after she was able to participate in meetings; and Assistance League. She volunteered to work at elections and was a regular volunteer at the OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop.

Fiercely independent, Alberta lived on her own for many years after John passed away in 2008. It wasn't until COVID hit that she moved to Hillsboro to live with Connie's family. She was a gracious and wonderful housemate and it was in these years that we all discovered her love of dogs, most notably, our COVID puppy, Roux.

Alberta impacted many people during her lifetime. She was a listener who made you feel like the most important person in the room. She was a tireless supporter of others, including many of her children's friends. She avoided the limelight, but was always in the middle of any event. She will be missed greatly.

Alberta is survived by her daughter, Margaret Montgomery of Seattle, Washington, Charlie Peterson of Long Beach, California, Connie Carr of Corvallis, Oregon and her four beloved grandchildren, Emily Zamanpour, Andy Peterson, Oliver Carr, and Avery Carr.

A memorial service is planned for November 21, First Presbyterian Church at 2:00.