Elizabeth is now at peace in Heaven with Our Lord Jesus. Elizabeth was born in the Panama Canal Zone to parents, Joseph and Margaret. In her youth, Lizzy, being the eldest daughter of 8 children, helped care for her young siblings, made household necessities and completed other tasks on the farm. Her childhood stories included tales of climbing banana trees, using a machete to cut down the coconuts, and searching for baby alligators. After meeting her high school friend Rita, her stories became exciting with tales of ballroom dancing at the Naval Base, movies, parades, and tours on the USS Missouri. Elizabeth graduated from the St. Mary's Academy in 1948, she excelled in penmanship, shorthand, and typing, and was fluent in English, Spanish and Hungarian. At the young age of 20, on July 4, 1951, she emigrated to the United States alone, arriving at the Dallas, Texas point of entry. With love and support from her sponsor, Beverly Rutherfield, she flourished. She described becoming a United States citizen as one of her greatest accomplishments. Elizabeth worked as a Secretary for the Young Lady Institute of Catholic Oakland Diocese and Pacific Bell/AT&T before meeting the love of her life. Elizabeth and Kenneth Petersen married each other on June 25, 1960. Together, they welcomed six children into their lives. Elizabeth is survived by her children Kenneth Petersen, Joseph Petersen (Deborah), Michael Petersen, Richard Petersen, Theresa Bangert (Kenneth), and Monica Luiz (Noel). Elizabeth was an amazing mother that adored all her children, fully engaging in their lives. She spent countless hours volunteering at their schools, as a Cub Scout secretary, Clayton Valley Little League Team Mother Assignments and as a Catechism Teacher. She re-entered the workforce in 1975, working at Crocker Bank, Bank of the West, Kelly Girls, and Residential Research. Liz possessed an amazing ability to type 100+ words per minute, while engaging in a conversation. In her retirement years, Elizabeth enjoyed participating with the Saint Bonaventure Senior Adult Parishioners, traveling abroad with Ken and Monica, casino bus trips, watching her grandkids participate in sports, activities and events, weekly hairdressing trips with Jesse, and anything that involved fun! Liz loved to laugh, dress up, dance and be silly, especially while sitting on the porch with her Jeri place family, Yvonne, Marci and Shirley. Nana was gifted with several treasures in her grandchildren: Joseph Petersen (Jacqueline), Matthew Petersen, Christopher Petersen (Tracey), Michael Petersen, Ryan Petersen, Keegan Petersen (Fiancée Jill), Jase Petersen, K. Zachary Bangert, Logan Bangert, Brittany Bangert, Jessica Luiz, and Jordan Luiz. Great grandchildren; Victoria, Joseph, Julianna, Kassidy, Lila, Waylon, and Hayes. Auntie Liz is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and Greats that loved her. Elizabeth was preceded by her loving husband, Kenneth Petersen, siblings John, her twin sister Mary, Helen, Margaret, Joseph, Julie, and Emma. Mom, Liz, Lizzy, Nana will be missed by all. Her smile was infectious, laugh was contagious and her love for us unending. Friends and family are invited to her visitation at Queen of Heaven Cemetery and Funeral Center 1965 Reliez Valley Rd. Lafayette on September 24, 2020. Visitation/Viewing from 9:30am – 11:15am, Mass 11:15am – 12.15pm, burial ceremony immediately after at Saint Mary's Cemetery 4529 Howe Street, Oakland, CA.
