HARRIET PETERSON MUFFLY Dec. 6, 1927 – Aug. 15, 2024
Harriett Peterson Muffly was born in Moorhead, MN to Leon and Anne Hammett on December 6, 1927.
Harriett graduated from Moorhead High School in 1945, and then from Sisters of Saint Joseph School of Nursing as a Cadet Nurse. In 1952, she planned the trip of a lifetime with a childhood friend to “see Europe on a dime” and focused on exploring Norway, the country her Grandparents had immigrated to the US from.
After her grand adventure, she returned to lead a full life of nursing experiences, starting at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL, and on to Elmhurst Hospital, Angola, IN, Harborview Hospital in Seattle, WA, and The Fargo Clinic of Pediatrics in Fargo, ND. In Los Alamos, NM she worked for Dr. Richard Honsinger, LANL Occupational Health, and Dr. John Benson. Her last 12 years of work were spent as a Chemical Processing Technician at LANL, working at TA55.
After coming to Los Alamos, she met Peter J. Peterson, and they were married on August 7, 1954. Mr. Peterson, unfortunately, passed away on September 15, 1968. She then married Harry F. Muffly on April 4, 1975, and they were together until Mr. Muffly passed on October 13, 1999.
Harriett was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the Los Alamos Cancer Clinic, and the Los Alamos Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary. Harriett always had a kind thing to say to people that she interacted with, and she could put an instant smile on a total stranger.
Although she left nursing to pursue a new career at LANL, she never lost her nursing ethos, which guided her every day. She enjoyed working in her garden until only a few years ago. In 2019, she entered Aspen Ridge Assisted Living, where the staff were incredibly kind and caring. Harriett passed away peacefully on August 15, 2024 with her children, Eric and Anne, by her side.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Peter and Harry and her son, Tom Peterson. Harriett is survived by her daughter, Anne Peterson (John Elliott), son Eric Peterson, grandson Jeff Peterson (Susie Edwards), sister Alice Horpedahl, brother John Hammett (Nancy Hammett) and numerous nieces and nephews whom she adored.
Harriett was buried privately at Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos. A Celebration of Life is planned for September 13 at 1 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos. Please consider donating to the American Cancer Society.
Please feel encouraged to share condolences, stories, and photos of Harriett’s life at www.riverafuneralhome.com.
Harriett Peterson Muffly Dec. 6, 1927 – Aug. 15, 2024. Courtesy photo