OLD TOWN – Arneta Mary Peterson, 56, passed away Oct. 13, 2006, surrounded by her family, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Arneta was born Jan. 24, 1950, in Augusta, the oldest child of Roscoe and Dora (Bridges) Pinkham of Belmont. She graduated from Belfast Area High School in 1968 and went to the University of Southern Maine – Gorham, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in education. Arneta started her career as a teacher in West Enfield. From there, she transferred to the Viola Rand School, Bradley, where she spent the next 31 years touching the lives of young children. The last year of her career she spent at the Old Town Elementary School. Arneta loved to travel, especially her trips to St. Martin with her husband and good friends, Joe and Sue Cyr. She enjoyed quilting, church functions and working out at the YMCA early in the morning. Arneta was kind and gentle and her greatest joy came from spending time with her husband and children. Neta was a devoted and loving daughter and sister, and our hearts will always carry her tender spirit. She was predeceased by her father-in-law, Stanley W. Peterson Sr.; and her grandparents, Douglas and Arneta Pinkham and Murray and Mary Alice Bridges. Surviving, along with her parents, are her loving husband of 35 years, Stanley W. Peterson Jr. of Old Town; four children, Danny Peterson and his partner, Kevin Campbell, of Stetson, Kevin Peterson and his wife, Amanda Sidell, of Levant, Amanda Peterson of Old Town and Vladimir Kondratenok and his wife, Anna, of Boston; two brothers, Jeff Pinkham and his wife, Cathy, of Freedom and John Pinkham and his wife, Wanda, of Belmont; three sisters, Laurie and her husband, Stan Cunningham, of Belmont, Bonnie Gilfillan of Cape Elizabeth and Penni Greenlaw of Searsport; mother-in-law, Mary Peterson, of Jensen Beach, Fla.; sister-in-law, Sharon and her husband, Jim Brunette, of Augusta; brother-in-law, Jim Peterson and his wife, Mary Lou, of Rumford; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial visiting hours will be held 6-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Old Town United Methodist Church, Stillwater Avenue. Reception will be held after the service at the Black Bear Inn and Conference Center, 4 Godfrey Drive, Orono. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Arneta’s memory to the Save the Pool Fund, 46 Middle St., Old Town, ME 04468 or go to www.SavetheOTPool.org A memorial web page can be found at www.mem.com Through this site we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.
ARNETA MARY PETERSON
