Doris E. Petersen of Chestnut Ridge, New York, passed away peacefully on Dec. 5, 2025, at the age of 88.
Born on Feb. 6, 1937, to Alexander I. Wilson and Ena Francis, Doris was raised in a large and loving family and went on to live a life distinguished by grace, strength, unwavering faith, and a deep devotion to family, friendship, and meaningful work.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ena Francis and Alexander I. Wilson; her beloved husband, Cedric Petersen Sr.; her cherished son, Cedric Petersen Jr.; her sisters, Rose, Valarie, and Juliette Wilson, Rita Phillips, Gloria Ross, Ada Grainger, and Corliss Nathaniel; her brother, Ancelmo Wilson; and dear friends Mary, Bessie, and Katherine, whose memories she carried with tenderness.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Sezlynn, Chazmine, and Tyler Petersen; her great-granddaughter, Audrina Vaccaro; her brother, Alexander I. Wilson II; her nieces, Myrna Mathurin, Theda Dennis, Tracy Encarnacion, Tiesha Ballantine, Nicole Nathaniel, Sherri Grainger, Monique Wilson, Marisa Wilson, Tracy Wilson, and Gloria Briggs; her nephews, Kevin Kiture, Alvin and Winston Phillips, Mark, Craig, and Roland Wilson, Williams Ross, and Roland Grainger; and a host of extended family and treasured friends too numerous to mention.
A woman of profound faith and quiet elegance, Doris lived with a steady strength that left an indelible impression on all who knew her. She was a devoted member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in New York, where her life reflected gratitude, reverence, and enduring trust in God. Professionally, Doris distinguished herself through diligence and excellence, dedicating 40 years of service to Bell Atlantic, NYNEX, and Verizon, where she retired as a manager. Yet even retirement could not confine her spirited sense of purpose. True to her often-spoken words, “I got more work in me,” she continued working at Sears and later Student Bus, forming lasting bonds and friendships wherever she went.
Doris had a rare gift for nurturing relationships. For more than six decades, she cultivated enduring friendships grounded in loyalty, warmth, laughter, and genuine presence. She held close friends such as Marge, John, Katie, Carrie, Lydia, Roma, Roselynn, and Shamarra, among many others, and treasured those bonds as one of life’s greatest blessings.
Doris leaves a legacy of love, resilience, faith, and refinement. She will be remembered for her gracious spirit, her sharp wit, her devotion to those she loved, and the quiet dignity with which she lived her life.
The memorial service will be held at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Estate La Vallee on April 30 at 9 a.m., with interment to follow at Kingshill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christus Victor Lutheran Church in remembrance of Doris E. Petersen.
