Hazel Eloise Peterson

Passed away on November 7, 2013. Born February 17, 1938 in Telluride, CO, the youngest of 8 children, Hazel grew up on the family farm in Western Colorado. She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1956 and soon after married her sweetheart, Bill Peterson. As a new U.S. Marine Corp officer's wife, Hazel lived throughout the U.S., from South Carolina to Hawaii, while raising 3 sons, often by herself when her husband deployed. She became a full-time single mom when Bill passed away in 1972. Hazel settled in Sacramento & finished raising her young teenagers. She put her sewing skills to work as a seamstress for both interior decorators and individuals, always producing beautiful work. As an active member of the First Baptist Church of Fair Oaks, Hazel involved herself in many different aspects of church life, including the Homeless Ministry, Tabitha Ministry and the Faith Ministry. For the past 3 years, she had been entrusted by the congregation as part of a council helping with decision-making about the church ministry. Hazel loved to travel & was able to go to many places in the world. She was very social and had many friends. She loved spending time with her family & was lucky enough to have a close relationship with her sons and two grandchildren, recently becoming a great-grandmother. Hazel's was an unexpected death and her family & friends will mourn her greatly. She is survived by her sons, Greg (Kelly) Peterson, Phillip (Missy) Peterson, and Karl (Rhonda) Peterson; grandchildren Krista (Brad) Neighbours, and William Peterson; great-granddaughter, Olive Mae Neighbours; sister, Iris Jackson of Vernal, UT; brother Howard Peterson of Grand Junction, CO; and many nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held Thurs., Nov. 14, 4PM-8PM, at Mt. Vernon Mortuary, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks. A funeral service will be held Fri., Nov. 15, 11AM, at the First Baptist Church of Fair Oaks, 4401 San Juan Ave. All are welcome. For Hazel and on behalf of our military families, please consider donations to Fisher House Foundation. www.fisherhouse.org.