Maria Carmen Peterson
Aug. 16, 1939-May 16, 2019
Pleasanton, California

Carmen Peterson, 79, passed away peacefully in her Pleasanton home Thursday, May 16, 2019.

Born in 1939 in Santa Paula, CA, Carmen was 1 of 7 children of Narcisa and Geronimo Garcia. Her family relocated to Pleasanton during her toddler years and she attended Pleasanton Elementary and Amador Valley High School. She graduated in 1958 after 4 years of playing field hockey and being a pom pom girl; which led to a lifetime love of sports and sealed her role as her family’s #1 cheerleader.

Carmen and her late husband, Donald “Foots” Peterson raised 4 children, John, Jean, Ann and Jim, and later two grandchildren, Christina and Billy. She spent her weekdays working at Farmers Insurance and taking kids to practices. On the weekends she could be found on the sidelines of soccer fields or baseball diamonds, rain or shine. Her love for local sports extended beyond her children and grandchildren’s teams. Everyone knew never to change Grandma’s tv when the Giants, Niners, or Warriors games were on. She cheered loud and was notorious for closing her eyes when a game was too close for comfort.

In her later years, Carmen truly enjoyed her younger grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always looked forward to the time she spent with grandkids, Daniel, Joey, Andie, Hannah, and Cameron. Her energy made it hard for people to believe that she was a great grandmother, but she could always be found spoiling Kylar, Niko, Nathan, Ellie, and Emma. Carmen’s selflessness and love for her friends and family was as apparent in her life as it is now in her death. She requested that everyone smile, be happy, and wear bright colors to celebrate her life. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 5 at St. Augustine’s Church in Pleasanton. Service will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow.