Jean E. Petersen, 86, of Whitman left this life on August 26th. Born in Providence, RI on December 15, 1939, she was the only daughter of Swedish immigrants Arthur and Ebba Nelson. Jean graduated from Warwick HIgh School in 1957 prior to attending Bryant University.

Jean married the love of her life, the late Wayne L. Petersen in 1960. Wayne was a career Navy man. In the early years they moved often from Rhode Island to Long Beach, CA to Charleston, SC back to Long Beach prior to settling in the Boston area. In 1967, they moved to their forever home in Whitman. As her husband was away frequently in service to our country, Jean developed a strong independent nature for the rest of her life. After Wayne died unexpectedly in 1978, she began a 30 + year career working at Kirby Insurance Agency in downtown Whitman.

Jean is the mother of Chris Petersen of Cary, NC, Kim NIchols of Whitman, MA and Jeff Petersen of Seabrook, NH. She leaves behind her loving grandchildren, Jill Ferguson of NC, Kevin Petersen of NC, Jonathan NIchols of Taunton, Matthew NIchols of Whitman, Brad Petersen of Seabrook, NH and Julia Petersen of Whitman. She is also the great-grandmother of Kenzie and Lily Ferguson of NC and Grady and Murphy Petersen of NC.

Jean was a talented cook, a gifted artist, and a great and loyal friend. She was particularly devoted to her special bond with the Quilty family of Forest Street.

Family and friends are invited to attend Jean's visiting hours on Saturday, August 29th from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 PM at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman. She will be buried next to her loving husband at Colebrook Cemetery in Whitman.