Maureen Stewart Peterman, 63

September 01, 2024

Maureen Stewart Peterman, 63, of Lancaster, PA died peacefully at home on Sunday, September 1. She had fought, with courage and dignity, a more than two-year battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband of 26 years, Raymond R. Peterman of Lancaster. She was the daughter of the late William Jay Stewart and the late Virginia Braungart Stewart, both of Lancaster.

Maureen was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lancaster, and joined her parents and husband in activities such as the parish festival and serving of meals. She accompanied her parents, then later her husband, on visits to give Communion to shut-ins. She enjoyed going to church social gatherings over the years.

Maureen attended Lafayette Elementary for kindergarten, St. Joseph Grade School, and Lancaster Catholic High School from which she graduated in 1978. She was a B-C student but was named to the Who’s Who Among American High School Students because of her studious manner. She also had artistic talents; she enjoyed painting and loved to create truly charming cards for holidays and birthdays for all her family.

Maureen had a long career in retail, beginning at the Rite-Aid stores downtown on N. Queen St., where she advanced from cashier to shift supervisor. She later moved to the Columbia Ave. store where one of her duties was running the photo machine. In 2012 began as a sales associate at the Goodwill Store & Donation Center on Lincoln Hwy E., from which she retired in 2022 because of her illness.

Maureen would like to thank all those who talked to this quiet person and brought her into their lives; it was one of the pleasures she had of working with the public. Though she was sorry if she inadvertently rubbed people the wrong way with her introverted and serious ways, she appreciated those who didn’t find fault with her sad face but rather joked with her and made her laugh.

Maureen lived with her parents into her adult years. They were her lifelong friends. The three of them enjoyed theatre, local outings, and international travel. Her mother started to get a ride home with fellow church choir member Raymond Peterman, who soon joined the family in theatregoing and became Maureen’s husband in 1998. The four continued to do activities together until the loss of Maureen’s parents, her mother in 2007, and her father in 2021.

In addition to her husband, Maureen is survived by her siblings Kevin M. (Roseanne Breneman Stewart) of Lancaster, PA, Karen M. (Robert D. Swinehart, Jr.) of Strasburg, PA, and Matthew J. (Cynthia Wise Stewart) of Lancaster, PA. She was preceded in death by her niece Amanda Stewart Manuel, but is survived by six nephews and nieces – Daniel, Ryan, Kimberly, A.B., Travis, and Henry – and by seven grandnephews and grandnieces – Christopher, Nevaeh, Carter, Cassidy, Brielle, Ryan Junior, and Colton. Maureen was also close to many on her husband’s side of the family, leaving behind the Petermans, Simpsons, Painters, and Tongels.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 440 St. Joseph Street, Lancaster, PA, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. The Mass will be preceded by a viewing and visitation with the family at 10 a.m. Interment will occur immediately following the Mass in St. Joseph’s New Catholic Cemetery, Bausman, PA.

Please omit flowers. Contributions may be made in Maureen’s memory to St. Joseph Church, 440 St. Joseph Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.