Joan Theresa Peterson

Joan Theresa Peterson (née Carney) passed away in Riverdale, New York, on February 2, 2017. She was born September 16, 1936 on the West side of Manhattan, New York, to the late John Carney and Rose Ann Flynn, Irish immigrants. She lived in Manhattan during her childhood, and married and raised her family in New Jersey. Joan was known to all for her kindness, her availability, and her life-long commitment to spiritual growth and personal growth. Joan and her former husband Don Peterson raised their four beloved children in New Jersey. Joan worked in administration at The Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company and Montclair State University. She completely enjoyed residing in the community of Montclair where she loved her walks at Mills Reservation. Her involvement with First Church of Christ, Scientist of Montclair, where she served as a member of the Board of Trustees and Chair of Tellers, was central to her life. Joan is survived by her four children, Ken Peterson, Jean Rush, Dawn Sereno, and Michael Peterson; her grandsons Joseph Toke and Ryan Sereno; her sister Claire Konarsky; beloved great granddaughter Savannah; nephews Gary Schwab, Whitney and Wesley Peterson, and niece Krysten Nylen. Joan is predeceased by nephew Evan Rush, and sisters Barbara Schwab and Kathleen Schneider. In lieu of flowers, the family would be deeply grateful for donations to the American Heart Association in Joan’s memory. Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home is serving the family.