Mary Theresa Peterson

December 11, 1925 to September 14, 2026

Mary Peterson of Raleigh, NC passed away peacefully in her home while in the care of Hospice following a brief but severe illness. Mary was born and grew up in Chicago to Giovanni and Theresa Pietrucci. Her brother Henry was killed in Normandy, France on D-Day during the pivotal Allied Assault in WWII.

Mary was outgoing, adventurous and a superb athlete in softball, table tennis, swimming, bowling and volleyball. She worked in a chocolate factory during HS and soon thereafter began a 40+ year career as a Precision Grinder and Machinist making metal parts for Aviation and Aerospace Industries among others. Mary was the only woman in her department and rose to the position of Technical Lead and Trainer.

Mary loved life, made friends easily and was devoted to her family in Chicago and in Raleigh after her retirement and relocation in 1985. She loved to travel in the US and Internationally. She taught her family to respect and embrace all people and cultures. In her Raleigh retirement she and her 2nd husband Gordon Peterson made many new friends while discovering the many leisure and cultural opportunities of the Carolinas and Florida.

Their carefree, daily 7 am coffee gatherings were full of laughing and joking. Mary was fiercely proud and independent. She took great comfort in living out her 100+ life in her Raleigh townhome that she and her husband Gordon built in 1998.

Mary was preceded in death by her first husband Julius Hrivnak and her 2nd husband Gordon Peterson. She is survived by her son John Hrivnak (Kathy), daughter Sandy Klemp (Dave), grandsons Michael Hrivnak (Julia) and Keith Klemp, granddaughter Katherine Hrivnak and great-granddaughters Gabriella and Sofia Trujilllo Hrivnak.

A visitation will be at the Renaissance Funeral Home 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 on Monday, September 21 from 6pm followed by a Memorial Service at 7pm..

Graveside service will be Tuesday, September 22nd at 10 am at Raleigh Memorial Park and Gardens, 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612