Dolores Constantina Petterson

Dolores Constantina Petterson, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sibling, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 90 on December 3, 2024. Born in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 1934, to Tino and Emma Cugini, Dolores fondly remembered her childhood and upbringing in Renton. She often recounted working as a young girl in the Kent Valley, picking beans and strawberries on one of the many truck farms. She remembered blackouts during WWII and a camouflaged Boeing Field. She enjoyed the large Sunday gatherings with other Italian families and family trips to Sunrise at Mount Rainier.

In April 1950, her parents drove the family cross country to New York and then boarded a ship with their car bound for Italy. They drove across Italy visiting with her father’s brothers and sisters in northern Italy. They spent time in Bergamo, the northern Alps, visited Lake Como, and explored Rome. They returned home by ship in August 1950.

After graduating from Renton High in 1952 Dolores worked as a secretary at Pac Car in Renton. There she met the love of her life, Richard Petterson, a young engineer. He saved her from an over amorous co-worker by saying he had a date with her that night and so it started. Richard and Dolores were married on May 1, 1954, and enjoyed nearly 61 years of marriage until his passing in 2015.

As newlyweds, their early life was an exciting time full of adventure. Richard's work required travel that took them to Kentucky and Maryland. Some of her best memories are of their humble beginnings living and traveling the US in a travel trailer. Together they saw this vast and beautiful country and made many friendships that would last a lifetime. These treasured memories along with the joy of raising her children and grandchildren remained among the happiest of her life.

Known for her boundless energy, perseverance, and nurturing spirit, Dolores lived a full and beautiful life, devoted to her family and the home she built with and cared for with her husband, Richard. Together, they enjoyed stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains, sharing many beautiful sunsets overlooking Lake Washington and Renton from their kitchen window and flower laden deck. Dolores relished the simple joys of the outdoors, spending countless hours with the family fishing, mushroom picking, razor clamming, and hunting. At 90, she made one last special trip sockeye salmon fishing and caught her limit.

Over the years many camping trips were spent in their travel trailer allowing them to explore lakes and parks across the Northwest and Canada. They also took memorable cruises to the Caribbean, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Alaska, often accompanied by family and friends. Her favorite trip was through the Panama Canal, where Richard bought her a special gift in the San Blas Islands. Dolores recalled one adventure of running after the bus at the tip of South America. They were so engaged in the Antarctic exhibit during a shore excursion they lost tract of time. Luckily, they were spotted and narrowly missed being left behind.

Her legendary green thumb allowed her to grow her garden from seed guided by the moon's phases to ensure the tallest corn and ripest tomatoes. Many people were gifted tomato plants or harvests from her garden. Known as grandma peaches by her grandchildren, she grew the best peaches and canned them as well. Her yard served as a sanctuary of beauty. It featured vibrant roses and gorgeous flowers that weaved a unique charm throughout her rockery. Even in her late 80s, she could be found dancing deftly from rock to rock, tending to her plants with love and care. Neighbors often spotted her perched in her Magnolia tree, pruning away. She loved her many beautiful roses and always had fragrant bouquets in her home.

Dolores was a gracious and wonderful hostess, serving countless home-cooked meals. She skillfully blended Italian and Danish treats during holidays and family gatherings. Her spaghetti sauce earned the approval of her Italian father, who deemed it simply the best he had tasted—a source of immense pride for her. To this day, making large batches side by side with Mom we cannot quite match the magic. She had many special recipes we will always cherish, including her mouthwatering chocolate cake (an irresistible birthday staple), ravioli, smoked salmon, and her tart and creamy lemon meringue pie.

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 88, Dolores courageously battled the disease for the last two years of her life. She loved her home and garden, wishing to remain there and do as much as she could on her own. Strong and independent until the end, she accomplished this with the help and devotion of her family, who were always there for her.

Dolores is survived by her sons, Jerry (Beverly) Petterson and Rick (Brenda) Petterson; her daughter, Cindy (William) McGaffey; grandchildren Christine (Tim) Edwards, Michael (Megan) Petterson, Tino (Jen)Petterson, Sandee (Hank) Snyder; and seven great-grandchildren, along with one great-great-granddaughter and many friends. Dolores will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends Mom taught us to keep our family close, work hard, be gracious and kind. In place of flowers, memorials can be made in Dolores’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

A celebration of Dolores’s Life and graveside service will be held for the family at noon on Tuesday, December 17, at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery. Rest in peace, Mom. Your love and light will forever be cherished