Doris B. Peterson

1936 – 2018

LEWISTON – Doris B. Peterson, 82, of Newmarket, N.H., formerly of Lewiston, Maine, passed on Oct. 24, 2018, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, following complications from pneumonia after a period of declining health.

Doris was born in Lewiston on Sept. 14, 1936, and was the daughter to the late Clara (Bolduc) Bryant and the late Charles H. Bryant. Doris was raised in Auburn, Maine and graduated at 17 from Edward Little High School Class of 1953. She later served on many high school reunion committees and enjoyed the time spent with former classmates, planning their reunions in later years. A date set up by her brother, led Doris to the love of her life, the late John M. Peterson. They shared 48 years of marriage before his death on Sept. 24, 2014.

Following marriage, Doris and John first lived in his hometown of Phillipsburg, N.J. and then later settled in Lewiston. Early in her working life, Doris worked for the Public Finance Company and she was active in the Women’s Credit Breakfast Club and Lewiston/Auburn Ski Club.

After the birth of their two children, Doris was an active participant in the children’s school lives at St. Joseph’s School. She was also on the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Parish Council. Sports played an active role in the home and Doris was an important participant. For years, she organized and volunteered countless hours at the Snack Shack at Elliot Avenue Little League in Lewiston, where it grew from a tiny red barn to a 2-story snack bar/press box. There are many ball players and fans alike who can remember enjoying steamed hot dogs, Slushes, licorice and Bazooka gum thanks to Doris’ planning. Doris (and John) rarely missed a child’s sports event through countless sports seasons, often overlapping with two active children.

Doris returned to work outside the home and worked in the finance department at GM Pollack and Sons and later worked with her husband at George Business Forms (later GBF Information Systems).

In her retirement years, Parkinson’s Disease would slow her down but it never claimed her sense of humor. Even in the later stages of the disease which stole most of her speech, her beautiful blue eyes and smile continued to express her feelings and you knew she was following the conversation.

Doris leaves behind a loving family including her son John M. Peterson, Jr. and daughter-in-law Cindy of Marietta, Georgia; daughter, Pamela A. Peterson Haddock and son-in-law John H. Haddock of Newmarket, N.H.; three grandchildren, Christopher Peterson, Megan Peterson and Jerico Haddock. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life. Doris is also survived by two sisters-in law Shirley Weirsky of Alpha, N.J., and Mary Fegley of Easton, Pa.; and many loving nieces and nephews. Doris was predeceased by her parents; her husband John, her brother Charles H. Bryant, sisters-in-law Norma Bryant, Elizabeth Hummell and Patricia Stillo and brothers-in-law, Richard Peterson and Robert Peterson. We would also be remiss if we did not mention her favorite cat, Willie, who passed several years ago and stole a piece of Mom’s heart.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Pines in Newmarket for caring for Mom in the last few years.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, Nov. 1, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home, 77 Exeter Rd. (Route 108), Newmarket.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 182 Main Street, Newmarket. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, 200 Mt. Auburn Ave., Auburn, Maine.

Visit www.kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guestbook.