Maria Titonia Petersen's Obituary
Maria Titonia Petersen was welcomed into heaven on March 30, 2016 after a three-month long battle with injuries sustained from an automobile accident. She was born March 1, 1930 in Bad Vilbel, Germany to father Karl Koch and mother Katharina Barbara Moeller. A war bride, Maria married US Army Master Sergeant Alfred Morton Petersen of Brooklyn, New York in Switzerland. Maria and Alfred welcomed their first son, Peter Alfred Petersen, in Germany. Maria became a naturalized citizen in 1956 upon immigrating to the United States.
While stationed in Fort Monroe, Virginia, Alfred and Maria had their second son Ralph. He then was followed by daughter Barbara during their military tour in Anaheim, California. Alfred unexpectedly passed away shortly after the family’s move to St. Petersburg, Florida, a city which Maria would call home for the remainder of her life. It was there where she raised her three children all on her own. Maria was preceded in death by her beloved husband Alfred, son Peter and her older sister Lilo of Germany.
She is survived by her younger sister Honni (husband Mariano) of Germany, son Ralph (wife Kathi) of Stone Mountain, Georgia, and daughter Barbara of Panama City Beach, Florida. Maria is also survived by six beautiful grandchildren: Kristin (husband Tim), Alayna, Christopher, Rocky, Bobbie (husband Aaron) and Sarah. She was also blessed with three special great-grandchildren: Karleigh, Clayton and very recent arrival baby Remy.
Maria will be remembered by all who loved her for her cute clip on earrings, love of the beach and watching the sunset at Pass-a-Grille, always opening her home for family vacations, swimming at the YMCA, and enjoying her favorite meals at the Bonefish Grill and Frenchy’s in Clearwater.
Maria will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Alfred and son Peter.
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