Hannah Peterson

Date of Birth

May 18,1999

Date of Death

Sep 05,2018

Hannah Peterson, age 19, of Montgomery, tragically left this world in search of peace in another, Wednesday, September 5, 2018. Gone before her time, Hannah leaves the world a poorer place and her memories as the only balm for her absence. She was born May 18, 1999, in Geneva, IL, the daughter of proud parents, Bacilio Valdez and Michelle Peterson. Hannah grew up in Montgomery and attended local schools. She graduated from Oswego High School with the class 2017. It may have been the Horticulture Club that planted the seeds for Hannah’s love of plants, but her passion led her to a job in the floral department of Jewel. Following graduation, Hannah attended Aurora University on a full academic scholarship where she studied criminal justice and human animal studies. She also became president of the Unleashed Animal Club who concerned themselves with the welfare of animals. Hannah had a heart that just could not stop giving. There was sunshine in her smile and a unique ability to comfort those in need. She loved to take care of everybody, whether you were friends, family, strangers or an animal in need of a little TLC. Hannah exhibited an excellent work ethic and worked throughout her high school years, but during the summer months, she and her mom would lead the Small Fries/Big Boy group at the Girl Scouts day camp. Hannah eventually became a Daisy Troop Leader during her senior year of high school. Although her music tastes trended toward country and pop, she never passed up a chance to read a scary novel or see a movie that would make her jump at her own shadow. She loved live music and concerts as well, the only prerequisite being that the music had to make her heart sing. Times spent with her family were her favorite and she cherished hanging out with her brothers and cousins at Grannies house. Board games, card games and seriously physical games of spoons were commonplace. While she was not a morning person and was a challenge to wake her, she loved a trip to a theme park to ride the roller coasters. She could shoot a mean game of pool and no one could slide across the floor in fuzzy socks, “Risky Business” style, like Hannah. She also enjoyed indulging in her love of animals by visiting the zoo anytime that she could. Every animal was her favorite, except maybe a few reptiles. The one thing that never made the list was bugs…. of any kind…ever. Many people knew of Hannah’s love for stuffed animals, but only a chosen few knew the number and fewer still knew she had an ample supply as back up, located in a storage locker so she wouldn’t lose them like she was always losing her chapstick, car keys, or purse. For all the love Hannah gave and received, there was always a piece of her that struggled to feel at peace. The overwhelming sense of “everything” pervaded even the happiest times and darkened the brightest moments. In spite of herself, Hannah continued to persevere, but one fateful decision ended any hope for the future. Nothing can ever tarnish the life she led and the memories she made with so many, still shine as bright as the sun. She now leaves her parents, Bacilio and Michelle; three brothers: Dustin Castillo, Steven Peterson and Andrew Peterson; Maternal grandparents: Leonard and Donna Peterson; Paternal grandparents, Maria and Andres Valdez; maternal great-grandparents, Helmer and Shirley Peterson and Virginia Karr; Aunt Nichole (Jamie) Phillips, Uncle Leonard (Kelly) Peterson, Aunt Genoveva (Everardo) Hernandez and closest cousins Shayne, Savannah, Samantha, Jason and Skyler Phillips, Lucas and Wyatt Peterson, Genisis, Johnny and Jimmey Hernandez; and branches and branches of more aunts and uncles, second cousins, great aunts and uncles and a family of friends who all will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her maternal great-grandparents, Annie Peterson and Joseph Ploppert and her beloved great aunt Lynnette Abrams just a few weeks ago. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. with a service to follow at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Private family burial will follow cremation at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Hannah’s name. Checks may be made to the “Hannah Peterson Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Service to follow visitation at 7:30 p.m.

Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.

Private family burial will follow cremation at a later date.

Leave Condolences or Memories