Stella Palamarchuk Peterson '74

Stella Palamarchuk Peterson died suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 in La Paz, Mexico. She was 56.

She was formerly of Bensalem and Chalfont, Pa. until 2010, when Stella and Philip retired to Mexico.

Stella graduated from Bensalem High School in 1974, Temple University in 1978 with a B.S. Degree in Medical Science and graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College Physician's Assistant Program.

She worked at the Montgomery County Medical Center as a Physician's Assistant. She was also an accomplished athlete. At 14, she broke the gender barrier in competitive racewalking to become the first woman to compete in a 10-mile race against her male competitors in New York City.

She became one of the leading advocates for the inclusion of women's racewalking which later became an Olympic medal event.

She and Jon Philip Peterson eloped on June 6, 1977 in Clinton County, Pa.

Stella was the daughter of the late Stephen and Helen Palamarchuk of Bensalem.

She is survived by her husband, Jon Philip Peterson, and two children, Stephanie of Tucson Ariz., and Daniel of Ambler, Pa. She is also survived by a sister, Diane Hudson Harris (Kenneth) and Howard J. Palamarchuk, DPM (Julie), and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. to pay their respects to the family at the Tomlinson Funeral Home, 2207 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020. Interment will be private.

Memorials in Stella's name may be made to the Tomlinson Funeral Home at the above address. Tomlinson Funeral Home, Bensalem