Shirley Jean Peterson

Shirley Jean Peterson, age 95, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at Orchard Manor in Farmington Hills. She was preceded in death by the love of her life for 55 years, husband Richard Norman Peterson. He worked on the steamship Columbia, also known as the Boblo Boat, where they met on a ferry cruise to Boblo Island's amusement park. They married on July 29, 1948.

Born in Port Austin, Michigan, Shirley was raised on a farm by her parents Helen Elizabeth Schlegelmilch and Oscar Chipman Woolworth, along with her older brother Clayton and younger sister Julia. She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class and continued her education with a passion for reading, especially history and travel books.

Shirley worked at Woolworth's Five & Dime, as a telephone operator, and finally as a teller at Manufacturer's Comerica Bank, retiring after 22 years. A talented seamstress, she clothed dolls for children's charities at Christmas for many years. Shirley was the family historian and genealogist. She was a lifetime member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and Michigan's chapter (SMDM), as an 11th-generation descendant of passenger John Howland.

Having many diverse interests, Shirley also ardently pursued gardening, canning, cooking gourmet meals-often inspired by her travels-and camping. At one time, she tended a 10-acre home property in Adrian, even hybridizing iris. With her husband, she traveled the world, visiting six of the seven continents. Reminiscing, she said her favorite adventure was to Africa, staying at the Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club, co-owned then by Hollywood actor William Holden. She and her husband introduced the great outdoors to their cherished daughters, Lynn and Laurel, at a young age with numerous camping trips throughout Michigan and Canada. They also went on wilderness canoe fishing trips to the Boundary Waters and flew by bush plane into the Canadian outback.

After the death of her mother Helen, Shirley took over legal guardianship of her disabled cousin, Gloria Gologek, at Lynwood Manor in Adrian, overseeing her care for many years until Gloria's passing.

Shirley is survived by her two daughters, Lynn (Robert) Markey and Laurel Peterson; grandchildren, Leigh Rogiero and Stephen (Tiffany) Yu; great-grandchildren, Brianna Rogiero and Dominic Rogiero; and sister, Julia Mitchell. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Clayton Woolworth.

It was Shirley's wish to be cremated, and she will be laid to rest at a later date. Those who wish to honor Shirley's memory are invited to consider a donation to Michigan Humane, sharing her concern for the welfare of animals.

Shirley's memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She leaves a legacy of love, family, and perseverance not to be forgotten.