Obituary

Gloria Swanson Peterson 95, of Brighton Township passed away after a full and fruitful life on Monday July 12, 2021 at the Saint Barnabas Beaver Meadows assisted living facility in Beaver, Pennsylvania.

Gloria lived a life of service to her family, her community, her country, and left beauty in her wake.  She earned respect from those who worked with her, and gave willingly to those who needed her.  She will be sorely missed, as no other wife, mother, or grandmother was ever loved more.

She was born January 27, 1926 on the family farm in Stamford, New York, the daughter of the late Jerimiah M. Snyder and Myrtle E. (Reed)(Spencer) Snyder.  She was the youngest and most spirited of 10 children.  She grew up in Stamford and graduated from Stamford Central School, where she was a majorette.  She married the late Clifford W. Peterson on June 24, 1945 in Hutchinson, Kansas, where Cliff was stationed.  Cliff retired from the U.S. Navy in 1960 after serving 20 years, with Gloria at his side as a dedicated and capable Navy wife, and an amazing dance partner.  Cliff started his second career working for Mohawk Airlines in upstate New York, and Gloria was again his partner in their next adventure.  Gloria and Cliff moved to Beaver, Pennsylvania in 1972 when Mohawk Airlines was acquired by what would become US Airways.  Gloria continued her role as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, gardener, cook, interior decorator, and the hardest working person in the room, until Cliff retired again in 1980.  They enjoyed a well-earned retirement until Cliff passed in 2019.  Together they moved 28 times during their 74 years of marriage.  Gloria always managed to make every house a stylish and welcoming home.  Gloria was a wonderful homemaker and community leader who left every place she went better than she found it.  She was creative, industrious, and unfailingly gracious, through good times and bad.

Gloria and Cliff were active members of Hope Lutheran Church, Brighton Township since 1972.  She was a devout Christian, and is going home to be with her Lord and Savior.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers; and six sisters.  She is survived by two sons Jay R. Peterson and Stephen R. Peterson with his wife Lynette; two daughters Susan K. Peterson and Valerie J. Hartley; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received Wednesday July 14th from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the Gabauer Funeral Home, 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066.   Call 724-843-0300. www.gabauerfamilyfuneralhomes.com  Pastor Thomas Moog will officiate.

Private entombment will follow in Sylvania Hills Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, family requests memorial contributions be made, if desired, to the Hope Lutheran Church, 45 Maple Drive, Beaver, PA 15009.