Margarita M. Peterson

Margarita (Rita) Peterson

After a long battle with cancer, Margarita “Rita” Peterson, age 76, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2018 in Naples, FL. As she was for much of her life, she was surrounded in death by many of those who loved her including her husband, her 3 children and her sister.

Rita was a wonderful person who loved life and the people around her. She truly lived a blessed life. She was born in Lithuania during WWII and with her family survived the Russians, Germans, and Allied bombings. After the war, they secured an opportunity to move to Chicago, IL and experience all the wonderful opportunities that exist here in the United States. She was a graduate of the University of Illinois where she met her future husband Leroy “Pete” Peterson.

She never forgot where she started in life and always felt blessed that America had given her and her family so many opportunities. She was a proud Lithuanian and was a strong supporter of many Lithuanian causes, people, and things.

She loved reading, playing bridge (Ruby life master) and being the best Mom/Grandmother/Wife to her 3 children, 4 grandchildren and husband of over 54 years. She had a way bringing people in. She was warm, caring and someone we all wish to have as a friend, mother, sister, spouse and grandmother. She lived largely in Chicago area but spent much of the last 15 years in Naples, FL.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Alexander and Maria. She is survived by her beloved husband Pete, sister Irena, son Eric (Gwen) and 2 grandchildren Jenna and Caroline, daughter Laura, son Mark (Candace) and 2 grandchildren Alex and Vivian.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a contribution to your preferred cancer charity or consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.