Lorette Josephine Petersen

Lorette Petersen passed away in her sleep at the momentous age of 100 on February 18, 2023. A true “lady”, Lorette was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She was the epitome of grace, courtesy, and kindness and could make anyone around her feel welcome and at ease.

Lorette was born Lorette Josephine North, daughter of Milo and Lillian North near Mountain View, CA on August 23, 1922. Raised in San Francisco for much of her childhood, she told stories of maypole celebrations and skating down the streets of the city. In 1939 she began her studies at Stanford University where she stayed until 1941 when she left school to marry her love, Maynard Chris Petersen in 1942. Her allegiance to Stanford remained her whole life and she attended dozens of “big games” against rival Cal Berkeley on an annual basis.

From 1942 on Lorette was a wife, homemaker and mother. She and Maynard began their family and raised four children in Santa Cruz and Carmel, CA. During this time, they built a steadfast home and family life, despite the challenges of WWII. When the children grew older, Lorette joined her husband at their business, a Standard Oil Wholesale Distributorship. There, she managed the office and did the books. They were married for 56 years until Maynard passed away in 1999.

Lorette is survived by her children Pamela, Susan, Maynard Jr., and Timothy. She also had nine grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren all who knew her motherly love, generosity, and ability to make each and everyone one of them feel special. The matriarch of the Petersen family, she will be missed dearly by those who knew her and especially by her loved ones.