Kathy Ann Forten Peterson

On Tuesday August 6, 2024, Kathy Peterson of Mount Gilead, NC left us to join her much loved parents Barbara and Mike Forten, her grandparents, aunts and friends. 

Kathy was born and raised in Lexington, MA and devoted her life to the loving care of others. Being the "Mama Bear " to all her siblings, nieces and nephews, she truly was the center of our family's universe. That nurturing love and devotion was also shared with the many children she cared for as their Nanny and left her indelible mark on all their lives. 

Later in life she became the loving caregiver to the elderly in her community and their cherished pets. The bonds she formed with her "silver haired sisters " (Dottie, Corine, Teri, Janet, Billie and Grace) was something so very precious to her. We know the families of those amazing ladies took comfort in the love and joy Kathy brought to them through the years.

Kathy and her husband Dan traveled the country together, setting down roots in Massachusetts, Vermont, California and North Carolina. They became a cherished part of the communities they lived in. Kathy was a giving soul filled with loving kindness and compassion who drew life-long friends wherever she was, touching hearts along the way. She will be forever missed by her loving family and anyone blessed enough to have known her. 

Kathy is survived by her beloved and loving husband of 50 years, Dan, her siblings Deborah Woods, Leslie Benjaminsen and her husband Eric, James Forten and his wife Stacey, Leigh Hurley, Scott Forten and his husband Jon Kilcrease and Kristen Forten. Kathy is also survived by her nieces and nephews David and his wife Sandy, Jamie, Kristopher and his wife Colleen, Matthew, Michael, Katherine and her fiancé Zack, Michaela, Peter, Brandon, Sophia, Ryan, Shauna, Braelynn, Zemiah and Wyatt. 

A memorial celebration of Kathy's life is planned for September 20, 2024 at the Woodrun Clubhouse, 938 Woodrun Drive, Mount Gilead, NC at 6pm.

 In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital ( https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude.html ) 

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Peterson family.