BIDDEFORD - Ann Marie Peterson, 61, died peacefully on Monday, June 20, 2016, with her loving family by her side.

She was a loving wife, sister, aunt and friend who touched many lives. She was born on Dec. 19, 1954, at Webber Hospital in Biddeford, the daughter of John B. Petit and Pauline A. (Bouthot) Petit. She grew up in Biddeford, the fifth of six children.

Ann graduated from Biddeford High School in 1972, and received a BA degree in accounting at the University of Southern Maine in Portland in 1992. She enjoyed her work as an accountant throughout her professional career, but her greatest joy came from spending time with her family and friends.

She believed in giving back to the community, and volunteered for many local organizations, including the Hospice Volunteers of Saco Valley (now Hospice of Southern Maine). She was secretary-treasurer of West Biddeford Little League, was appointed as the first woman board member of St. Joseph's FCU (now PeoplesChoice Credit Union), and was a finance committee member of the United Way of York County.

She was a color guard for the Alumni Band of Southern Maine, and was proud to be a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary at Deering Memorial Post No. 6859 in Portland. She also taught accounting classes for Kennebunk Adult Education from 2002-05.

In addition to Ann's work in the community, she loved photography, spending time on the ocean, scrapbooking and listening to music.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents.

Ann is survived by: her devoted husband, Louis A. "Sandy" Peterson II of Biddeford; five siblings, Linda L. Namm and her husband Ted of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Joanne J. Eon and her husband Donald of Biddeford, Norman J. Petit and her sister-in-law Margaret (Vallee) Petit of Arundel, Carol A. Roy and her husband Guy of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Janice E. Lapierre and her husband Gerard of Biddeford; eight amazing nieces and nephews; and 11 remarkable grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

She is also survived by: three stepchildren, Erik C. Peterson Sr. and his wife Beth of Cape Elizabeth, Thor A. Peterson of Chebeague Island, and Anne E. Kneale and her husband Andrew of Morrisville, Vermont; and three step-grandchildren, Erik C. Peterson Jr. of Litchfield, New Hampshire, and Landon D. Kneale and Addison E. Kneale of Morrisville, Vermont.

Visiting hours will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 9, followed by a Memorial Service noon at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Marcel Drapeau Scholarship fund, c/o The Alumni Band, P.O. Box 265, Biddeford, ME 04005, or to: Ferry Beach Park Association – Capital Fund Projects, 5 Morris Ave., Saco, ME 04072.