Obituary of Maria D. Petersen

Maria Petersen, age 88 of Rexford passed away on Monday August 22, 2016. She was born in Island Fohr, Germany, the daughter of the late Karl and Christina Volkerts. She was predeceased by her sister Anne and brothers Jurgen and Nahmen. She came to New York City in 1951 and worked as a nanny in Forest Hill. She married her husband Niko in 1957 in their hometown of Island Fohr, in the same church where both sets of parents were married. They moved to Vischer Ferry and she worked for 22 years at Shenendehowa Schools, retiring in 1997. She loved to return to Germany with her husband to visit her family and friends. She is survived by her husband Niko Petersen, daughter Ellen (Benjamin) Davis, sons Henry (Debora) Petersen, and Jurgen Petersen, sister Inge (Kunne) Thomsen, sister-in-law Annelena Volkerts, six grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews including Christine Janson Vierstra. Following her wishes, there will be no calling hours and all services will be private at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made to the Amity Reformed Church, 335 Riverview Rd., Rexford, NY 12148.