Peggy Swann Pettersen, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, surrounded by family at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital. Born in Huntington, West Virginia on September 27, 1926 to Bessie Thacker and Alric Swann, Peggy was the youngest of eleven children. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1944 and attended Marshall University before marrying the love of her life, Paul Pettersen Sr. and relocating to Murfreesboro in 1962 where she continued raising a family and forming many fulfilling and enduring friendships. During this period, Peggy was active in various women's groups and was a member of the Newcomers Club of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. She worked in the clerical division at Singer Distribution Center for almost twenty years before retiring. Peggy lost her husband of thirty-two years in 1977, and after retiring, she traveled between Murfreesboro and Ruskin, Florida where she joined siblings, extended family and friends during the winter months to bask in the warmer weather and sunshine. When she was younger, she was an avid golfer and played in a number of women's championships at Murfreesboro Golf and Country Club. She was also an avid Contract Bridge player which continued into her senior years as well. For the last fifteen years Peggy lived at Westbrook Towers in Murfreesboro, and told people it was the best decision she'd made as she cherished her independence, yet appreciated the kind and helpful staff there. She loved nothing more than a good book and told her children and grandchildren as they were growing up, if you can read well, the possibilities are infinite. As a senior citizen, she participated in adult literacy and lightheartedly informed people she spent so much time at the public library, she considered herself to be an honorary "charter member" of the Linebaugh Public Library, which in August 1962, opened its doors in the old post office on West College Street with the venerable Ms. Briley Adcock at the helm. Peggy believed in God and the power of prayer although she did not consider herself to be particularly religious. She joined Trinity Methodist and drew solace from the sense of wellbeing it provided to her. She is survived by her daughter, Nikola and husband Stephen Todd of Murfreesboro and their children, Geoffrey, Kennon, and Benjamin; son, Kort Pettersen and spouse Edward Beale of Laytonville CA; daughter-in-law Lee Pettersen of Olive Branch MS, and her children, Nick, Phillip, and Mary and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alric and Bessie Swann, ten older siblings, husband, Paul A. Pettersen Sr., son, Paul A. Pettersen Jr., and grandson, Matthew Todd. Peggy was a staunch defender of loved ones, maintained her wry sense of humor until the end, and will be profoundly missed by those who knew her. Graveside services will be held Saturday at 1:00PM, February 8, 2014, at Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro, TN, with Mr. Bud Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow. Memorials may be made to the Linebaugh Public Library, 105 Vine St., Murfreesboro TN, 37130, (615) 893-4131. "Courageous; devoted; resolute" Condolences may be made to www.woodfinchapel.com.