Loved art work, gardening, pets and caregiving
Published September 25, 2019
WAKEFIELD – Ann (Peteusky) Rivers, 97, died peacefully surrounded by her family on September 23, 2019 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading. She was 97 1/2 years young. Remarkably, she lived all but one week independently, in her home in Wakefield.
She was born in Cokesburg, Pa. and was the daughter of the late Peter Peteuski and Mary Yavich.
Ann had four sisters and three brothers. She is survived by her two sons Robert and his wife Janet Rivers of Stoneham and Richard and his wife Gail Rivers of Wakefield, her granddaughters Kelly Caplin and her husband Gregory, and Jennifer Rivers. Also survived by her step-grandchildren, Nicholas, Ellina and Sofia DiSanto, and Joseph and Julie DiSanto.
In the 1940’s, Ann worked as a hostess in the famous restaurant, Toffenetti’s in Times Square, New York. She loved telling many revealing stories of famous movie actors that frequented the restaurant.
Ann and her husband, Victor, moved to Wakefield in 1950. Ann took great pleasure in raising her two sons, Robert and Richard. As a young wife, she loved to cook and entertain. Ann was a Boy Scout Den Mother and involved in Hurd School events. Ann later assisted her husband in his job as travel manager for Admiral Pat’s Cruise Vacations. Together they served as tour guides on countless trips aboard the Holland American Cruise Line.
Ann loved art work, gardening, caregiving, pets, and keeping her bird bath full. She could always be seen by neighbors, raking her yard and shoveling the snow. Her life was defined by helping others. Ann was always available to friends and family to serve their needs. Ann enjoyed her volunteer work at St. Joseph’s Church helping the social committee with set ups and the serving of all their events. She was one lovely person and mother who laughed and smiled all the time.
Her funeral service will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday at 11 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. Interment, Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.
