Christine May Peterson

Christine Peterson November 28, 1937 - September 24, 2024 Christine May (Crunkleton) Peterson was born in Highlands, North Carolina. Her family was a very large, close southern mountain family. As a child, she helped her grandparents with their farm. At 14, she took a bus, by herself, to Staten Island, NY to visit her brother, Tom, who was on leave from the Navy and staying with relatives. She liked NY so much she decided to stay. Having relatives living here already, she stayed with her favorite Aunt and Uncle, Pearl and Edward Schine, who owned Schine's Confectionery store, located between Scalia's Meat Market, Stoutland's Grocery Store and Vincent's Barber Shop in Westerleigh. While she began her education in the mountains, she completed it in Staten Island. Christine attended PS30 in 8th grade then Port Richmond High School. She went to school with her husband-to-be, Kermit Peterson, he sat behind her in Science class. He affectionately called her Tina May to the very end. In High School, she took typing and stenography classes so she was able to enter the workforce. After graduation, she went to work at WR Grace in Manhattan. Tina May married Kermit in 1959 and started their family in Great KIlls. After retirement, they enjoyed square dancing, traveling and spending time with their grandchildren. Inspired by her Grandmother who was ''a pillar of the church'', she sought out and attended Baptist churches as she did in the south. However, Great Kills Moravian eventually became her final home church. She followed in her Grandmother's footsteps teaching Sunday school, youth group, vacation Bible school, serving as Elder, women's groups, book club, and crafting group. She initiated a new tradition at Great Kills Moravian, ''A Moravian Christmas'' in 1997 that became their annual Christmas fair. Christine is survived by her husband of 65 years, Kermit, and their five children: Elizabeth Reres (Michael), Charles Peterson (Betty), Margaret Grace (Michael), Edward Peterson (Susan) and James Peterson (Deanna); 17 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way. She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. A Funeral service will be offered at 9:30 AM on Saturday at Great Kills Moravian Church located at 74 Hillside Terrace Staten Island, New York 10308. Interment will follow in Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island, NY. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Friday, September 27, 2024, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York. Should you so desire Memorial contributions in loving rememberance of Christine may be sent to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741.