Elsie Peterson

Elsie Peterson, age 91 of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away on March 9, 2026. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, she was the daughter of the late Mary McCormack.

In 1955, Elsie married the love of her life, Rev. Lyle E. Peterson, and stood faithfully by his side as he ministered to many congregations. In addition to fulfilling her many duties as a minister’s wife, she lovingly raised their three children. She took great pleasure in baking, particularly her cherished fruit cake, and in arranging flowers for Sunday services, often gathered from Lyle’s own garden. Elsie was always ready to welcome guests at a moment’s notice and was a true connoisseur of tea, which she preferred black, hot, and served in a china cup.

Her husband of 63 and a half years, Rev. Lyle E. Peterson, predeceased her in 2018. Elsie is survived by her three children, Mary Nelson (George), Brenda Boston (Randy), and Myrick Peterson; two brothers, William Hunter (Shirley) and Samuel Hunter (Margaret); eight grandchildren, Shawn Nelson (Abby), Christopher Nesbitt (Yuko), Joanna Boston, Bethany Boston, Timothy Boston (Kami), Caleb Boston (Carolyn), Kimberly King (Ken), and Randy Peterson (Samantha); and eleven great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her brother Robert Hunter and her daughter-in-law Robin Peterson.