Former Claremont resident Gertrude “Trudy” Petersen, most recently of San Juan Capistrano, died at Saddleback Memorial Hospital in San Clemente on July 15, 2011.

Mrs. Petersen was born to John S. and Essie McElhinney of Crowley, Louisiana on January 9, 1910 and was 101 at the time of her death.

Mrs. Petersen was a founding member of the Church of Christ, Scientist in Claremont. She was previously employed as the secretary to E. Wilson Lyon, former president of Pomona College, followed by 19 years as the deputy city clerk of Claremont. Mrs. Petersen retired to San Juan Capistrano in 1973.

Mrs. Petersen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Edward Bauer of Costa Mesa; her son and daughter-in-law, Arthur Michael McAlister and Jocelyn McAlister of Rancho Cucamonga; and her 3 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Essie Mae and Theodore Parrot of Encinitas; her husbands, Charles Allen McAlister and Edward Richey Shaw, both of Claremont; and by her most recent husband, Bert Petersen of San Juan Capistrano.

A private interment was held.