Mary L. Peterson, , 79, a longtime area resident died on Friday, December 22, 2023, with her family by her side at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie.

Born January 7, 1944, in Norwalk, CT, she was the daughter of Harold and Frances Timpson Mather. She was a graduate of Carmel Schools.

Mary was proud to have fifty years of sobriety. She also took immense pride in helping people as an alcohol counselor for the former Dutchess County Alcohol and Referral Center in Poughkeepsie. At one time, she worked at the former Edison Motor Inn and the Vassar College Alumni House, both in Poughkeepsie.

Mary had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and credits the lord with blessing her with musical talent. She played guitar and sang, and along with her band, The Country Wranglers, would entertain at local senior communities.

Survivors include her son, Carleton Peterson, and his wife, Maria, of Poughkeepsie; daughter, Elizabeth Isaacson, and her longtime companion, Chris Valente, of Tennessee; and son, Curt Peterson, and his longtime companion, Linda Sprague, of Poughkeepsie.

She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Jennifer Isaacson, Dustin Holmes, and Bobbi Jo, Joshua, Tiffany, and Nina Peterson, and their families; sister, Charlotte Donovan, and husband, Robert; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her longtime companion, James Shaughnessy; brother, John Cotton Mather; and two sisters, Roberta Morano and Helen Tompkins.

Calling hours will be from 3 to 6 PM, Thursday, December 28th, at Sweet's Funeral Home, Rte. 9, Hyde Park.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM, Friday, December 29th, at the Funeral Home. Pastor Rick Murray will officiate.

Burial will follow in Union Cemetery, 2339 Rte. 301, Carmel, NY.

In lieu of flowers, Mary's family respectfully requests memorial donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org), or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306. (www.t2t.org)

To send an online condolence, or for directions, please visit Mary's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.