Joan (Schaffner) Peterson, 83, of Venice, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012.

She was born Feb. 13, 1929 of New York, N.Y., and she was the youngest child of Frederick Schaffner and Marie Schaffner of Queens, N.Y.

Joan married Edwin A. Peterson in New York, N.Y. June 16, 1951. They were happily married for over 61 years. Joan was a devoted wife to her husband “Pete,” and devoted mother to their three children. She was an accomplished painter and their home was filled with her wonderful still-life and landscape paintings. Joan also enjoyed reading, sewing, hooking rugs, and was a great cook. She had a warm sense of humor and was always ready with a smile. Joan and Pete shared their lives with each other in every way. They both loved the water and enjoyed sailing. Once they moved to Englewood in 1979, they particularly enjoyed racing as members of the Venice Sailing Squadron. Joan loved to travel and they found themselves visiting many exotic places the world over. She and Pete loved music and singing; they were long time members of the Englewood United Methodist Church choir and bell choir. They delivered food for the local Meals-on-Wheels. Joan was a volunteer at the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, and also volunteered at the Englewood Clinic before it became Englewood Hospital.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Pete, by three days; children, Kim Peterson-Yantorno and her husband, Bob Yantorno of Edgartown, Mass., and Englewood, Jill Harrison and her husband, Ray of Hygiene, Colo., and Mark Peterson and his wife, Linda of Riverview, Fla.; grandchildren, Matthew Hewitt and his wife, Becky of Portland, Ore., Kerstin Benson and her husband, Jon of Westminster, Colo., Joan Harrison of Hygiene, David Peterson and Samantha Peterson of Riverview; and a great-grandchild, James Hewitt of Portland. Joan was preceded in death by her husband Edwin; brother, Frederick Schaffner; and sister, Marjorie (Schaffner) Lucas.

A memorial service for both Joan and Edwin Peterson will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at the Englewood United Methodist Church, 700 E. Dearborn St., Englewood, FL 34223. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Englewood United Methodist Church. Please visit www.kays-ponger.com.

Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger and Uselton Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Venice, Fla.