Patricia Peterson, 63 / Sept. 14, 1947 — April 20, 2011

Published 5:49 pm Friday, April 22, 2011

Patricia Ann Peterson, 63, a longtime resident of Niles, died at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at her new home on M-60 West, Cassopolis unexpectedly but of natural causes.

Patricia Peterson, 63

She was born Sept. 14, 1947 in Dowagiac to Steven Robert and Doreen Jane (Cox) Sirovica. Pat graduated from Niles High School and earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo) in special education.

She first taught at St. Mary’s School in Niles, and then taught for many years at Niles Community Schools, retiring in 2010. She had many successes with special needs students, and freely invested many afternoon hours and some off-campus visits to help students and their families.

Pat was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Niles. She appreciated her English heritage, nurturing her English garden and collecting teapots. She was also a Blue Star Mother, support her sons during their military service. Her family was her greatest priority, caring for her husband, children and grandchildren.

On April 26, 1969 at St. Mary Catholic Church, she married Christian Lynn Peterson, who she planned to celebrate 42 years of marriage next week.

She is survived by her husband, Christian; their children, Joanie Peterson, Christian (Pearl) Peterson and Patricia (Bill) Wozniak, all of Niles, Eric (Roshonda) Peterson of Battle Ground, Wash., and Keith (Tosha McComb) Peterson and Kevin Peterson, both of Niles; grandchildren, Abby, Chelsey, Christian, Jr., Katy, Andy, Grace, Eric, Jr., Ali, Tori, Lizzi, Kassi and Emily; Pat’s sisters and brothers, Stephanie (Rod) Hessey of Niles, Steven (Jennifer) Sirovica of Granger, Ind. and Scott (Connie) Sirovica of Raleigh, N.C.; several nieces and nephews; aunts, Marica and Sylvia of England; and Pat’s faithful companion, her dog Bailey.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Patrician Ann Peterson will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 26 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Niles with the Rev. David Otto of the parish officiating.

Committal rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Pat Peterson may be made to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.