Mary Catherine Peterson

Mary Catherine Halleran Peterson of Clifton, New Jersey, formerly of Glen Head, New York, passed away on February 17th, just one day shy of her 80th Birthday.

Mary Catherine was born in New York, New York to Clare (Hayes) & J. Laurence Halleran on February 18th, 1943. She was their only child and spent her early years in Flushing, New York, creating lifelong memories with her dearest cousins & friends. She graduated from Saint Agnes High School in College Point, New York in 1960. Mary Catherine went on to receive a degree from Chamberlyne Junior College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mary Catherine married the love of her life, George Andrew Peterson of Bayside, Queens on August 19th, 1967. They moved to Glenwood Landing, New York in 1971. Mary Catherine was an amazing homemaker and mother. Together, Mary Catherine & George created a beautiful life and moved to Glen Head, New York in 1983. Mary Catherine’s heart was broken with the untimely death of George in 1989. She persevered on and continued the traditions of their family & fiercely raised her daughters to be strong, independent women. Her legacy will live on in them. Mary Catherine never truly recovered from the loss of her husband George.

Mary is survived by her loving daughters, Karen Galbraith & Kristine Vigna, her devoted son in law, James Vigna, and her grandchildren, John Patrick “Jack” Galbraith, Charles James “Charlie” Vigna, Halleran Jane “Hallie” Galbraith, Connor George Vigna, & Christopher Angelo Vigna, all of Glen Ridge, New Jersey. She was predeceased by her parents, Clare & Larry, her husband George, and their infant son, John Andrew. Mary Catherine’s greatest joy in later years was spending time with her adult children & grandchildren. She was known to all as “Grammy”. Grammy was a fixture around Glen Ridge. She spent countless hours on the sidelines of sports games, school events, and local gatherings. Everyone knew & loved Grammy. She will be missed by many dear friends and relatives.

Visitation Friday, March 3, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM  at Whitting Funeral Home, 300 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head, NY 11545.

Mass Friday, March 3, at 12:00 PM at St. Boniface Martyr Church, Sea Cliff, NY.

Private Burial.