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In memory of

Clairene June Petersen

Manteca, CA, USA

June 28, 1937 - December 6, 2020

Jun 28, 1937 - Dec 6, 2020

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Clairene June Petersen departed this world on December 6, 2020.

She was born on June 28, 1937 and raised on a farm in Los Banos, California to Anthony and Angie Machado. It was there that she grew to understand the values that are learned from raising cattle and farming the land. But her mind was never confined to the fence that enclosed the farm. She would often climb aboard the top of a rail car on the ranch. From that elevated vantage point, she felt like she was traveling the world. She left a small town and matriculated at San Jose State University, obtaining a bachelors degree in interior design. She enjoyed college life and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega. It was around this time that she caught the eye of a suave and debonair gentleman named Jack Petersen. They were married in St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Las Banos and then moved to Campbell and San Jose to start their family on Tifton Avenue in San Jose.

Her son Brad and his three kids, Nicole, Danielle, and Anthony. Her son Kirk, his wife, Sue and his two kids, Jessica and Carinne. Her son Derek, his wife, Kendra, their four kids, Raymond (deceased), Kaycee, Jacob and Sarah.

She is also survived by her three sisters; Marlene Talbot (Los Banos, CA), Judy Toscano (Minden. NV), and Barbee Machado (Manteca, CA)

Clairene was an artist. She would surround herself with objects and things that she felt belonged. She wore clothes that matched her mood. Her shoes always matched her handbag. She had her own style. She had The ability to take several this similar items and make them look like they belong together. Her lifestyle reflected her penchant for flare and style. She was always on the lookout for the seemingly missing pieces to her life’s tapestry. Even in her times of greatest distress, she could always be snapped back into clarity and healthfulness with a dose of retail therapy. Perhaps her greatest joys were traveling and spending money on things that brought her instant joy, like clothes, jewelry, and art.

She loved to ski and enjoyed ski vacations with her boys. She was a skilled seamstress and even made her family extremely fashionable ski clothes. She had the ability to simply see a style or design and then using modern fabrics, fashion a garment from scratch. Her kids were always dressed in impeccable and sometimes matching home-made attire.

She was a fan and long-time season ticket holder of the San Francisco 49ers. She was fortunate enough to witness the glory years of the 80s and even attended two Super Bowls. Her favorite part was always the tailgate parties and opportunity to spend time with her dearest friends and family. This activity provided her and Jack to tap into their penchant for the outrageous. During one period, thay would be seen driving up in a 1973 black Cadillac Hearse that was converted to tailgate function, while doning full length mink fur coats and cowboy hats.

Many times she could be found home watching TV in full make-up, dressed in glamorous attire with matching shoes and jewelry. When asked why she just doesn’t wear more comfortable clothes, she would say, “this is what I do”.

She was a long-time member of ASID, the American Society of Interior Deaigners. Theough this affiliation, she developed many life-long friendships.

She was a very involved stay at home mother. She was the kind that would wrestle on the ground with her three boys. She was truly a little bit country and little bit rock and roll.

She was a gracious and attentive caregiver for her ailing husband. She displayed a heightened level of compassion and attention that was an example for the family that was to be called to care for her in her waning years. When asked how she was able to be be a nurse, therapist, and general healthcare assistant, she would simply state that “this is what I do”.

Her smile and laughter was infectious. She was most comfortable hosting and attending parties and gatherings. Up to the end, she possessed a wit that was unparalleled.

We would sometimes ask her what the secret was to being married to the same man for 56 years. She would acknowledge that although it was quite often a challenge, “This is just what you do”.

When asked what she wanted most in her life, she said that her greatest wish and desire for her family was for each of them to individually thrive, and collectively, to get along and love each other.

Well, Mom, we will, because after all… “This is what we do”.

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