Marjorie Peterson, 78, of Hackettstown, NJ died on Sunday, January 31, 2021 after a brief but courageous battle with gallbladder cancer. She was born on May 30, 1942 in Andover, OH to Phillip and Wilda Peterson, the oldest of six children. When she was a young child, the family moved to Erie, PA. Marjorie was warm, kind, and patient with a gentle way of caring for people. She attended St. Vincent’s School of Nursing where she graduated in 1963. She worked as a registered nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital for five years and started three critical care units there before transferring to Hamot Hospital (now UPMC Hamot), where she worked for 30 years and became Director of Nursing. She obtained a dual Master’s degree in Nursing and Business Administration from Gannon University in 1994. Her family greatly admired her ability to work full-time while completing her higher education and raising a daughter at the same time. Despite her busy schedule, Marjorie was selfless, giving, and always made time for her family.

In 2008, Marjorie moved with her lifelong partner, Joseph Forisko, to Lake Havasu City, AZ where she continued her love of nursing. In 2010, she was honored as Nurse of the Year for the state of Arizona. Marjorie completed her career at Haven Health in Lake Havasu City after 57 years of nursing. Her last day of work was October 31, 2020. She moved to Hackettstown, NJ in November 2020 to be with her daughter, son-in-law, and only grandchild.

Marjorie lived her entire life caring for others. She was loved and respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. In her final weeks, so many people whose hearts she touched reached out to tell her what an inspiration she was and how much they learned from her. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her lifelong partner, Joseph Forisko, her daughter, Dianna Rogers, her son-in-law David Rogers, her grandson, Everett Joseph Rogers, her sisters Dorothy Obenreder (and brother-in-law Tom Obenreder), Cindy Welsh (and brother-in-law William Welsh), and brother Leonard Peterson (and sister-in-law Susan Peterson). She was predeceased by her two sisters, Virginia Eisenberg (survived by husband Mack Eisenberg), and Phyllis Ahlberg (survived by husband David Ahlberg).

Marjorie will be cremated at Cochran Funeral Home in Hackettstown, NJ. Her ashes will be returned to Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Erie, PA. The family will plan a Celebration of Life gathering at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.