Beatrice Nelson Peterson

Beatrice Nelson Peterson, 85, of Cromwell, loving wife of Raymond W. Peterson, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Born in Colebrook, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Gerda Hanson Nelson. Beatrice was a long time resident of Newington, moving to Cromwell in 1999. She was a graduate of New Britain High School, and served as vice president of her graduating class. She was a member of Bethany Covenant Church, where she formerly served as church librarian and as a Sunday school teacher. She was a member of Covenant Women, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Ladies Auxillary of the Newington Volunteer Fire Department. Surviving are her husband, Raymond W. Peterson, former Assistant Chief of the Newington Volunteer Fire Department; four sons and their spouses, William and Jacqueline Peterson of Poquonock, Kenneth and Deborah Peterson of Simsbury, Raymond and Lisa Peterson of Newtown, Mark and Ellen Peterson of Newington; her grandchildren, Brett and his wife Kari Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Zoe and her husband Aaron Keathley, Nikki Peterson, Katie Peterson, David Peterson, and Sabrina Slavis; and three great-grandchildren, Tristan, Dylan and Evan. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Kathleen Nelson and her family of Tucson, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Wood and by a brother, Lawrence Nelson. A memorial service will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at Bethany Covenant Church in Berlin. Burial will be private in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain. Calling hours are Sunday from 1-4 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 S. Main St., New Britain. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Building Fund at Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill St., Berlin, CT 06037 or to the Arthritis Foundation, 35 Cold Spring Rd. Suite 411, Rocky Hill CT 06067.