TUBAC, Ariz. — Meredith Joyce (Buck) Petersen, 81, of Tubac, Ariz., formerly of Bangor and Lewiston, died Oct. 8, in Arizona.

Meredith was born Dec. 27, 1928, to Ralph and Wynona (Smith) Buck in Bangor. She graduated from high school in Lewiston. On Jan. 10, 1953, she married Chester Michael “Pete” Petersen and became a Navy wife.

While Pete served in the Navy and continuing into civilian life, they moved several times, the last being to Tubac in 1974. Before her marriage she had worked at Gould and Scammon and at North American Phillips. After the children were born, caring for her family was her vocation.

She served as a Girl Scout leader, den mother, PTA member, Sunday School teacher and was the best Halloween costume maker. Her kids constantly volunteered her services at school functions and she happily complied every time. Joyce enjoyed knitting, sewing, stenciling and decoupage, but the greatest joy of her life was her two granddaughters, Amanda and Lysbeth.

She is survived by her loving husband, Pete, who cared for her tirelessly for the last two years as her health declined. Also surviving are her sister, Donna Applegarth of Auburn; sisters-in-law, Mildred Hudson of San Bernardino, Calif. and Velma Buck of Norwood, Mass.; daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Peter Firos of Sonoita, Ariz., and Jill and Terry Ackerman of Billings, Mont.; her granddaughters, Amanda Ackerman of Missoula, Mont., and Lysbeth Ackerman of Corvallis, Ore.; and her dear friend, Lucy Robling of Tubac, Ariz.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, James Buck; and her youngest child, Martin James “Marty” Petersen.