Barbara Petersen

Barbara Ann Petersen, Johnstown, PA, past way following complications in her battle against brain cancer on October 12, 2025. Barbara was born in Somerset, PA on January 26, 1952 to William and June (Coffman) Schmidt. She is predeceased by both parents, her half-brother, Alan Coffman, and brother-in-law Terry Cahill. She is survived by husband, Ernest Louis Petersen, III, sisters, Brenda Maser, (Ronald) Pittsburgh, PA and Billie Cahill, San Diego; brother Terry Schmidt, (Ling) Chalfont, PA; daughters, Margo Baumann (Dustin), Pensacola, FL and Rachel Vucic, (Michael), Lancaster, PA; and son, Elijah Petersen, PhD. (Louisa) Rockville, MD. and seven grandchildren: Connor, Jake, Kate, Anna, Oliva, Evan and Maia. Additionally, she has numerous cousins especially Sheri Heist (Timothy). Before she was hired at the Hiram G Andrews Center, Barbara owned Mountain Top Upholstery Shop. In her high school yearbook, she stated she planned to work with people with a disability, and she did. Rising from upholstery instructor to the Director of Education at the Commonwealth Institute, she received state-wide recognition by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation as an exemplary employee. She held a BA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her community involvements included the AAUW, teaching Sunday School, and a tenure as a soccer coach for Westmont Hilltop Middle School girls teams. In all things, family came first. As a daughter, sister, spouse, mother, and grandmother she was a connection to hold her people together. A jazz musician in the kitchen, her cooking never failed to please. She was always there to lend an ear, share an insight, protect from harm, and inspire to push oneself a little harder. Personally, she was physically active so she ran, paddle-boarded, skied, snowshoed, played pickleball, and kayaked. Her best days were hiking with the Trail Mix Rocks women, playing golf with the Nine Hole Ladies, biking the Ghost Town Trail with Joyce, or endless board games with her grandchildren. She was a Wonder Woman. She was a builder of fires and a gatherer of friends. She did many of these things with her husband, Ernie. A marriage that lasted for 46 beautiful, loving years and many travels. There will be a Receiving of Friends at John Henderson Co. Funeral Home on Central Ave. Johnstown on Friday, October 17th from 4-7 PM. With a deep love of nature, her natural burial will be taking place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will observe a memorial service at their convenience. www.hendersonfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Petersen, please visit our floral store.