Obituary of Marilyn J. Peterson

Marilyn J. (Meadows) Peterson passed away as she wished at home surrounded by all her family on Friday night, August 27, 2021.  She was 85 years old.  Marilyn was born and raised in Lexington.  She was one of nine children born to Jesse and Lillian Meadows.  Growing up in a modest home with ten family members had its challenges, but the family bond that was created in that home far outweighed the limited space and lack of privacy.  Chaos, cooperation, laughter, excitement, and love were just part of every day living in the Meadows’ home. It was those qualities the molded her as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister, and aunt.  She didn’t need to sweat the little things in life, because she knew they all work out if you place family first.  She graduated from Lexington High School in 1954, married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Peterson, in 1955, they settled in Burlington in 1958, and went onto to have six children, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.  It just seemed the normal way of life.  Marilyn’s home was the gathering space for all her family as well as her children’s friends.  Everything stopped on Sundays when the Patriots game started, and her clan gathered to enjoy the game and each other’s company.   Summers were spent at Tom’s Pond in Warner New Hampshire and Sandy Beach in Hopkinton, NH.  Getting a bed to sleep in was a challenge, but the memories, stories, and laughter shared together as a family were irreplaceable.  Recollections of spending a day at the beach, swimming, nights by a campfire, and card games at the kitchen table or picnic table are memories that all her family will cherish.  She and her husband Joe also enjoyed being snowbirds for 25 years in Port Charlotte and Hallandale Florida where they enjoyed escaping the New England winters, spending time with their Florida friends, and welcoming family and fiends who came for a visit.  If Marilyn had one selfish vice, it would be that she enjoyed spending Tuesday and Thursday nights going to Bingo with her girlfriends.  Marilyn had a long and well lived life.  She was the matriarch of her family, she was a wonderful role model, and she loved everyone unconditionally.  She will be forever missed, but never forgotten.

Marilyn was the loving wife of the late Joseph Peterson.  She was the proud mother and mother-in-law of Pamela Waite & her husband Bruce of Webster, NH, Joseph Peterson & his wife Linda of Merrimack, NH, Debra Peterson & her partner Hank Allen of Billerica, David Peterson & his wife Dee of Billerica, Julie Langhill & her husband Rick of Billerica, and Amy Taranto & her companion George Martins of Warner, NH.  She was the sister of Peter Meadows of Westford, the late Eleanor Ricard, Joanne Dailey, Jesse, Gerald, George, Paul, and Kenny Meadows.  Joyce Ereri was a dear friend and caregiver for the past five years who gave Marilyn the companionship, support, and dignity to remain at home for which Marilyn’s family is eternally grateful. She was also survived by 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, countless nieces and nephews, and many dear friends and neighbors. 

At Marilyn’s request, her funeral services will be private.  Memorials in her name may be made to People Helping People, P.O. Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803.  For obituary, online guestbook, and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.