Edith N. Peterson

Edith Arline Nilsen Peterson, 88, beloved wife of Fredric D. Peterson since 1961, entered Heaven on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 primarily from congestive heart failure. She was born to Norwegian immigrant parents, the late Nils and Aagot (Dalan) Nilsen on Oct. 25, 1935 in Manhattan. Her family moved to East Hartland, CT when she was six years old, where she grew up alongside her older brother, Walter. They attended the Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church there, of which her parents were charter members. East Hartland was where several other Norwegian immigrant families also decided to settle and they all enjoyed a wonderful community in this small northern Connecticut town. During her high school years, Edie attended Hillcrest Academy (a four year high school) in Fergus Falls, MN, which was a Lutheran Brethren school. After earning her diploma, she came back to Connecticut to do administrative office work at both Simsbury Bank and Kaman Aircraft. Edie met her husband, Fredric Peterson in 1960 at a Covenant youth event and they married in 1961. They had two children, Philip and Lori, and lived in Farmington before moving to Wethersfield in 1971. A few years later, Edie studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and worked for many years at Elm Hill Convalescent Home in Rocky Hill, and later at Jefferson House in Newington. She greatly enjoyed her work helping the elderly and making sure they were comfortable and well-cared for. Since one of Edie’s talents was in the realm of cooking, she & Rick hosted many get-togethers and she outdid herself time after time, making delicious meals for her family and friends. She loved to knit and made many afghans and baby blankets overs the years. Edie also loved antiques and even had her own antique booth up in New Hampshire for several years, which she kept stocked through the many times she went “antiquing.” Edie and Rick originally attended the Trinity Covenant Church in Plainville while living in Farmington until 1970, when they started attending the Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church and have been members ever since. Edie was active in the choir, Women’s Ministries, cooking in the church kitchen for various events, served as a Deaconess and was also on the Missions and Nominating committees. In the 1980’s and on into retirement, Edie and Rick began traveling extensively and managed to see many different countries. They also had a home in Florida in the winter and a cabin near Camp-of-the-Woods in the summer. In 2017, they moved to Avery Heights retirement village where Fredric continues to reside. In addition to her loving husband of 62 years, she is survived by her son, Philip and his wife Carolyn; daughter, Lori; and grandchildren. The family will receive guests starting at 10:30 am TOMORROW (Wednesday, Dec. 27th) at the Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church, 511 Maple Street, Wethersfield, before a Memorial Service there at 11 am with a reception following. She will be laid to rest privately in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the WIHS Christian radio station. Please call 860-346-1049 or visit their website for details www.wihsradio.org. Care of arrangements has been entrusted to D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield.