Obituary: Marietta (Cassini) Peterson

FLORIDA/MADISON - Marietta Peterson, age 66, passed away peacefully with her husband at her side in their home in Florida on Dec. 30, 2010.

She was born on March 14, 1944. She was the daughter of Louis and Rose (Tortorici) Cassini. On April 20, 1963, she married her soul mate, Robert Peterson at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Madison. She attended St. Joseph's grade school and Central High School.

Marietta grew up in the Greenbush. She loved the neighborhood and her Italian heritage and always had stories about her childhood in "Bush". At age 13 she rescued a drowning man in Brittingham Bay, saving his life. She was later awarded a Certificate for Outstanding Courage by Alderman McCormick. Marietta was also awarded a Certificate of Excellence for her art work from the Madison Art Association. She was always very artistic and enjoyed a wide variety of arts and crafts; she also loved music and gardening. She was always very proud of the home she made for her family. She and her husband owned a miniatures shop, which she loved and they handcrafted many intricate accessories, dollhouses and room boxes, some of which are on display at House on the Rock.

Marietta is survived by her husband, Bob; daughters, Rosalie Stankovich of Sun Prairie, Janice (Richard) Cheers of Kansas City, Missouri; sons, Rob (Theresa) Peterson of Evansville, and Todd (Heather) Peterson of Pardeeville; sister, Joan (Bill) Elmore; and brother, Louie (Shirley) Cassini, both of Madison; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; and a lifelong friend, Eddie Abbott of Texas, and many nieces and nephews.

Marietta was a devoted wife, and loving mother and grandmother. Family was always a priority for her. We love her dearly....Ya, Meeeeee...you'll be missed more than you could ever imagine!

There will be a memorial service set at a later date.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 9, 2011