Rita E. Peterson

Rita Elizabeth (Casey) Peterson, 99, a longtime resident of Rockford passed away peacefully Thursday, October 18, 2012 at Maple Crest Nursing Home. Born September 3, 1913 in West Chicago the daughter of Alfred and Eva (Dieter) Casey. Attended St. James parochial Grade School and Belvidere High School. Married Raymond Peterson on May 18, 1946 at St. James Catholic Church, Belvidere. She and Raymond moved to Rockford shortly thereafter. Rita worked for Lundins Flowers in Belvidere for 10 years as a florist and office manager and then as a personnel manager for the J.C. Penney Co. in Rockford for 28 years, retiring in 1971.Rita enjoyed her Irish background and liked to tell humorous stories. A member of Holy Family Catholic Church and numerous clubs and organizations throughout her life including; Business and Professional Women Club, Rockford Personnel Club, Senior Womens YMCA Club, Womens Guild of HolyFamily,Holy Family Retiree Dinner Club, J.C. Penney Retiree Group, St. Anthony Travel Group and the Ambassador Club at Amcore Bank. Rita also enjoyed reading, writing, dancing and genealogy.She was also fond of sports, especially tennis where she played in and won many tennis tournaments. Survivors include her sisterinlaw, Yvonne Casey and many special cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents; her husband, Raymond; brothers, Clifford, Robert, Everett, Edward, David and James Casey; sister, Eva (John) Peters; sisterinlaws, Regina (Clifford) Casey, Marijule (Jim) Casey Hatfield and Alice Stone and brotherinlaws, John Peters and Roy Stone. Funeral Mass Monday, Oct. 22, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church 4401 Highcrest Rd. with visitation from 9 a.m. until time of prayer at 9:45 a.m. Interment will be held at Scandinavian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials in her name to: Alzheimers Association of Rockford, 1111 S. Alpine Rd. Rockford, IL 61108 or Milestone Inc., 1729 Wind Cloud Dr. Rockford, IL61108. Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel is assisting the family.