* Nancy M. Peterson; Teacher, Speech Pathologist

Nancy M. Peterson, a retired teacher and speech pathologist, died at home Saturday. She was 78.

She was born Nancy Hodges on Aug. 24, 1921, in Denton, Texas, and grew up there.

In 1938, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Texas State College for Women in Denton. She went on to Southwest Texas State College and earned a master’s degree in speech pathology in 1951.

On Dec. 20, 1952, she married a captain in the Air Force, Ernest C. Peterson, of Santa Paula. They were married in her hometown at the Little Chapel in the Woods.

She taught school in San Marcos, Texas. Later she was the speech pathologist for the school system in Plainview, Texas, and then worked for the Crippled Childrens Society in Arlington, Va.

Her husband said that sewing was her favorite pastime.

In addition to her husband, Peterson is survived by her daughter, Lesly Nan Harmon of Keno, Ore.; sister Billy Jean Hodges of Vallejo; brother Bert Hodges of Austin, Colo.; and one grandson.

Services are scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Pierce Bros. Stetler Chapel with the Rev. Ken Bevel officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Stetler Mortuary in Santa Paula.