Native Texan, longtime Houston resident, classical pianist, retired elementary school teacher, exceptional mother and grandmother, Lavina Belle Petersen, 86, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021. She possessed a ceaseless passion for life.
Lavina was born May 2, 1934 in Dobbin, Texas to loving and supportive parents, Hugh and Carmon Freeland. She graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Houston, Texas. As a teenager and aspiring pianist, Lavina performed a Ludwig van Beethoven piano concerto with the Houston Symphony. She attended Baylor University and then earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, following intensive music and classical piano studies with Dalies Erhardt Frantz. Years later she studied piano under Mehahem Pressler.
As a single mother to son Craig and with an independent spirit and focus, she charted a new career path. She began teaching elementary school in Galveston, Texas. After moving to Houston she continued teaching and earned her Master’s of Education degree, while attending night and summer school sessions at the University of Houston. Lavina was selected for a year long State Department Fulbright Teacher Exchange assignment in the United Kingdom. As a believer in civil rights, she was instrumental in the early days of school desegregation. Following a lengthy teaching career, she retired from the Houston Independent School District and began teaching piano lessons.
Lavina was a fearless, loving and admiring mother and grandmother. She always encouraged her family to be brave and bold, while helping them to find and set their courses for success. She was inspired by and cherished her continuing Judaic religious studies, while learning Hebrew and converting to Judaism. Lavina had a passion for fine arts, was a caring animal lover, and was devoted to education and teaching. She also enjoyed sampling culinary cuisines of the world, and loved international travel.
Lavina is survived by her brother John Freeland; her son Craig Petersen; daughter-in-law Cathy Petersen; and her grandson Kyle Petersen. She is predeceased by her parents Hugh and Carmon Freeland.
A private funeral service was held at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden on Friday, February 12, 2021. The funeral can be viewed on The Levy Funeral Director's Page on Facebook.
To honor Lavina’s memory, family and friends are invited to share their remembrances below.
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