Peters, Mary Calhoun

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peters_mary_calhounMary Ellen Calhoun Peters, formerly of Blacksburg, Va., passed away on March 13, 2009, at the home of her daughter in Durham, N.C., while being treated for ovarian cancer at Duke University. She lost her hard fought battle of over two years.

Mary Ellen was born on August 1, 1941, in Pulaski County, Va. In 1946 the family moved to Covington, Va. After graduating from Covington High School in 1959, she then attended Marion College, Marion, Va., receiving and Associate degree in Home Economics in 1961. After graduation, she lived with her cousin, Mary Elizabeth and her husband, Luther “Daddy Luke” Lindon, in Blacksburg, Va. It was there she met Joseph F. Peters Jr., marrying in 1963 while he was attending Virginia Tech.

After Joe’s graduation in 1964, they moved to Northern Virginia where Joe was employed by the United States Patent Office. After Joe’s retirement in 2000, they moved to Wyboo Plantation, Manning, S.C.

Mary Ellen was predeceased by her parents, Robert S. and Elizabeth H. Calhoun, who also resided in Wyboo Plantation. They were diligently cared for by Mary Ellen for many years prior to their deaths at the ages of 89 and 94, respectively.

In addition to her husband of 46 years, she is survived by two sons, Michael R. Peters (Kristin) and Gary L. Peters (Sherri), both of Northern Virginia; one daughter, Katherine E. Hall (David), of Durham, N.C.; and two grandchildren, Ryan B. Peters and Ashlyn K. Peters, both of Northern Virginia. She is also survived by her sister, JoAnn Nygaard (Lee), of Glen Allen, Va.; a niece, Heidi L. Richardson (Jeff); a nephew, Chris R. Nygaard (Jen); as well as numerous cousins, including Mary Elizabeth Lindon, of Blacksburg, Va.

Mary Ellen was active in the Wyboo Community Women’s and Garden Clubs and the Red Hat Society. She was the founding President for the S.C. Chapter AK of the Women’s organization P.E.O. She was a P.E.O. member for 34 years, having been initiated into Chapter AL, Reston, Va., on January 14, 1975. A Memorial Service was performed by her loving sisters in P.E.O. in June 2009 in Manning, S.C.

Inurnment service will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2010, in Sunrise Cemetery, Fairlawn, Va., where she will be reunited with her parents. There will be a reception following at the Hampton Inn, Arbor Drive, ChristiansburgBlacksburg Mall Area.

No flowers, please, but memorial donations may be made to Duke Cancer Center Ovarian Cancer Research is appreciated and always acknowledged. Make check as such and mail to: DUMC, Box 3079, Durham, N.C. 27710. All monies go into research.