Mildred Jean Petersen

October 28, 1929 - January 11, 2017

Mildred Jean Petersen, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, in her home in Saline, Michigan. Mildred was born in Detroit, MI on October 28, 1929, to Italian immigrants. She graduated from Denby High School and Wayne State University. Although she left her brief career as an elementary school teacher to raise her family, Mildred was always learning new things and sharing her knowledge with others. Mildred was not one to remain idle for very long. As such, she lived her life actively right up till the very end. Mildred volunteered for numerous organizations including the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, the Hospital Extension, and the Saline Hospital. She enjoyed participating with her church’s bible study group, was an avid bridge player, she played golf, participated in a book club, and thoroughly enjoyed her painting classes. She enjoyed traveling and rarely missed an opportunity to visit a casino should the opportunity present itself. Friends and Family were very important to her. She’d talk about her friends to her family and her family to her friends. Words that have been used to describe Mildred include: frugal, independent, active, sharp, but definitely not shy. She is survived by her sons Frederick, Jr. (Debbie), Charles (Kelly), and Robert (Byung); 7 grandchildren: Amy, Frederick III, Charles II. (Rachel), Connor, Chandler, Robert, Jr., and Tabitha; and 1 great granddaughter, Kendall. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Caroline Zanardi, her sister Velma Lee Zanardi, and her husband of many years, Frederick L. Petersen. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church and is scheduled for Monday, March 13, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Francis Mossholder as celebrant. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the church, or to a charity of your choice. Envelopes will be available at the church where friends may begin calling from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass at 11:00 A.M.