Dr. Deborah Cheryle Peterson, age 66, passed away on September 4, 2023. In life, Deb was married to Captain Richard Lynn Peterson for 33 years, during which time they raised four daughters: Heather Leona, Erica “Ricki” Lyn, Nancy Mariah, and Helen Jean “Nicki.” She dearly loved her son-in-law, Adam, and her grandson, Arthur. Over the course of her life, she also cared for many pets, including dogs, cats, horses, goats, and her favorite cockatiel bird, Zorro.
Deb was born in Fort Worth, Texas on November 8, 1956 to James and Nannie Clay. She had three siblings: older sisters Rita and Jimmie, and younger brother J.R. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Deb would eventually return to college to further her education in psychology, completing a Master’s degree at The University of Texas at Tyler and a Ph.D. at Argosy University in Dallas. She used her knowledge to care for many kinds of people, from her work as a school psychologist with elementary-age children in Oak Cliff to her work with geriatric patients in assisted living facilities in Athens.
For more than 20 years, she flew her hot air balloons annually at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta as well as many other ballooning events. She enjoyed Albuquerque so much that she eventually purchased a home there with her daughter Mariah, also an active balloon pilot. Deb made many friendships in the ballooning community and among crew members whom she knew for years.
Deb was active in Toastmasters International clubs beginning in 2016, and at the time of her passing was a member of the groups Colleyville Toastmasters, Out on the Town, and Off the Cuff. In this capacity, she gave speeches, promoted club membership, and served as a judge for speaking contests. She held club officer positions including President, Vice President of Membership, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms.
Deb’s greatest passion was world travel. She especially enjoyed cruises, which took her to the Caribbean, Alaska, Italy, and Ecuador. She took many trips with husband Rick, an airline pilot, visiting global cities including Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and London. When Rick retired from his airline career and took a summer job flying brown bear tours in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, Deb went to join him for a week of adventures. In travels with her daughters, she cruised to Antarctica with Leona, went on safari with Ricki in South Africa, and toured the catacombs in Lima, Peru with Nicki and Rick.
Deb is survived by her daughters, son-in-law, grandson, siblings, nieces and nephews, and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and grandson Conan. She will be fondly remembered.
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