Magdalena C. Peterson

Magdalena C. (Hirsch) Peterson of Scotch Plains entered Eternal Rest on Friday, December 23, 2022. She was born in Garwood on March 22,1925 to her parents Mathias and Magdalena Hirsch, immigrants from Austria-Hungary and was very blessed by God to reach the age of 97. She is survived by her loving and devoted Daughter, Christine M. Peterson and three generations of Nieces and Nephews who lovingly called her 'Aunt Madlen'. She was predeceased by her Husband, Nils W. Peterson and her brothers, Matthew and Frank Hirsch.

Magdalena graduated from Jonathan Dayton Regional High School in 1942. She worked at Alcoa in Garwood as a Communications Specialist & Forms Designer where she was hailed an 'Efficiency Expert'. During World War II, she was recruited by Alcoa to get a Group of Ladies together to work as nurse's aides at Rahway Hospital. This led to Alcoa getting 'E' for Excellence Award for their service effort for the War. From Alcoa, Magdalena was recruited by IBM to set up Teletype Communications at the Standard Oil Development Company of Linden (later becoming Esso, then Exxon, then ExxonMobil), where her future husband also worked.

Loving Christmas and wanting a Christmas Wedding, Magdalena married Nils W. Peterson at a Candlelight Service on December 20,1952 in the Cranford Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the Chancel Choir. 2022 would have been their 70th Anniversary. She loved the German Austrian Christmas traditions from her family, as well as the Swedish Scandinavian traditions from Nils' family.

Magdalena left her career to become a 'Stay-at-Home' Mom in 1957 when their only child, Christine was born. She was a great Mom, creative Homemaker and Hostess! Magdalena followed in her mother's footsteps as great cook, but best known and loved for her delicious Baking. Viennese Brownies were her specialty! Magdalena also inherited her love of sewing & design from her mother, who was an expert seamstress. Magdalena passed along her love of Music and Singing to her daughter, Christine. Magdalena and Nils were very proud of their daughter, Christine, her education and accomplishments. Nils, 16 years her senior, sadly passed away in 1990 which was a great loss to Magdalena & Christine. Magdalena enjoyed travel with her daughter. Highlight trips were London, a dear friend's wedding in Bavaria, Assisi and Rome, where Christine was blessed for the opportunity to sing at the Vatican with her German Choir and the Assisi Music Festival. She also loved Cruises and visiting her husband's family in North Carolina.

Since the end of 2015 when Magdalena had her first stroke, her daughter, Christine became her Caregiver, the same way Magdalena did with her mom many years before. She had a good recovery after her 1st stroke, even after her additional strokes at the end of 2020. Throughout her Lifetime, Magdalena was blessed many times with miraculous healings, and many answered prayers for which she and her daughter remain eternally grateful!

Magdalena was a Member of the Liquid Church in Garwood, formerly St. Paul's, which was built by her Father, the late Matthew Hirsch Sr. and her brother, the late Frank Hirsch. One of the Highlights of her Faith Journey was being baptized there with her daughter, Christine in November 2016 shortly after the new church opened. She was also a participant in the Blessing Board and Healing & Prayer Services with Brother Paul Miller, OFS, Franciscan Servants of the Divine Mercy based in Newark. Magdalena was also a member of the Deutscher Club of Clark and the Ladies' Division. She had a sparkle in her eyes and a deep love for her daughter, family, friends, neighbors and everyone touched by her life!

Visitation will be Thursday, January 5th from 3 to 7 PM at Gray Memorial Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Avenue in Cranford. Magdalena's Service of Remembrance and Funeral will be Friday, January 6,2023 at 11:00 AM at the Liquid Church, 213 Center Street in Garwood followed by Burial in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.