Lois Marilyn Peters (nee Closs)
November 13, 2014
Of London, Ontario passed on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Hospice in London. Lois left this world peacefully and with much love surrounding her, following a battle with lymphoma. Born September 20, 1930 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, she was the only child of the late Adah Closs (nee Silverthorn) and Lorne Closs. Lois is survived and greatly missed by her husband of 61 years, Melville Peters, and her daughter, Patricia (Anne-Marie) of Guelph. Teacher, singer and volunteer, Lois was an active, outgoing woman who enjoyed her family, friends, and her gardens. Lois began her teaching career in 1949 in a one-room schoolhouse near Chesley, Ontario. Following her marriage to Mel in 1953, Lois taught in Owen Sound, then Ottawa, and finally in London. A classroom teacher and a music teacher at the elementary level, Lois touched the lives of hundreds of students. Not one to shy away from challenges, Lois completed her BA at the University of Western Ontario as a mature student, while working full-time. Retirement from teaching in 1990 gave Lois and Mel the chance to travel, often enjoying bus trips to local and far-away destinations. A highlight for them was their cross-country bus trip through the southern US to California. A beautiful vocalist, Lois sang in her first church choir at the age of 13, in Meaford, Ontario. She participated in high school musicals, plays and glee clubs, and was a member of several community choirs, such as the “Owenaires” in Owen Sound and the “Perryettes” in Meaford. Lois led many church and school choirs, competed in countless music festivals, and sang at weddings and other events. A natural “director” in spirit, Lois was a dedicated volunteer over the years. She gave her talents and time to numerous aspects of the United Church, including the United Church Women (UCW), where she served as President; to the cherub and junior choirs, which Lois conducted for several years; to the Senior Choir, which she happily sang in until the age of 82; and to the Paper Rollers (a cheerful group of newspaper recyclers). Similarly dedicated to the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE), Lois served as London’s Municipal President for four years and was instrumental for 16 years in the organizing and running of the London IODE garden tour. A more recent volunteer experience which gave Lois much happiness was the Retired Women Teachers of Ontario (RWTO), where she combined her love of music and people into conducting a choir of loyal singers, and serving as entertainment chair for the RWTO convention in London. It is with deep sorrow that we say goodbye to Lois. But we are forever grateful to have shared our lives with her for these many years. She will be missed. The family would like to offer sincere thanks to the staff of the London Regional Cancer Program, particularly to Dr. Ian Chin-Yee and the Hematology Department; to the home care and palliative programs of CCAC; to Dr. Kirk Hamilton and his palliative team; and to St. Joseph’s Hospice, where Lois spent her final weeks in the caring hands of wonderful staff and volunteers. The family will receive visitors on Monday, November 17, 2014 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where a celebration of Lois’ life will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the London Health Sciences Foundation – Cancer Centre, St. Joseph’s Hospice of London, or to the REnew Campaign at Riverside United Church.
Leave a tribute for Lois Marilyn Peters (nee Closs)
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(Donated to REnew Campaign at Riverside United Church)
(Donated to London Health Sciences Foundation - Cancer Centre)
(Donated to St. Joseph's Hospice of London)
(Donated to London Health Sciences Foundation - Cancer Centre)
(Donated to St. Joseph's Hospice of London)
(Donated to St. Joseph's Hospice of London)
(Donated to REnew Campaign at Riverside United Church)
(Donated to REnew Campaign at Riverside United Church)
Dear Patti, Our hearts go out to you, to Anne-Marie and to your father. We are so very sorry for your loss and are thinking of you especially at this time.
Dear Patricia, I'm so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my prayers.
My deepest condolences goes out to the family and friends of Mrs. Peters. She has been in my prayers for months. I would see her at church, she would come when she was having a good day and I'd kiss her cheek and tell her I love her and miss her. Mrs. Peters was my mothers Teacher and use to come into my kindergarten class from time to time so I have known her my whole life. She was and still is a wonderful lady who lived her life out with dignity and a very respected woman in society. She's a family friend and she will surely be missed by me and I know I can speak for my Grandmother Lesley Malone who also attends Riverside United Church and My Mother Debra Ward. Rest in Peace beautiful. Sincerely Katelynn
Dear Mel and Patti: Our sincerest condolences go out to you both. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, King & Suzanne
Dear Mel and Patti: She was a wonderful woman.I will miss hervery much ....she loved participating and she did it with all her heart, no matter what it was. She was even better at leading, especially with her lovely voice. She was a great friend to me and I was always astounded at the volume of volunteer work she accomplished, always with your help Mel. I am grateful she was my friend. My thoughts are with you and Patti. Sincerely Ietje
Our sincerest condolences on the loss of Lois. We trust you have many happy memories of your time with her. May the Lord bless and keep you as you carry on without her trusting in the knowledge that you will see her again some day.
Our sincere condolences to Mel and family. Although we were not close friends to the family we certainly enjoyed the many years when we heard Lois sing in the choir at Riverside. Her solos were an extra special dividend. In the last while we have missed her participation and leadership. Our prayers go with the family. God bless.
To Lois' Family, I have thought about Mrs. Peters for over 50 years. She was one of my best and favourite teachers when I was a student at Ryerson Public School in Owen Sound. After I retired from teaching myself and returned to the Owen Sound area I tried to locate Lois as I wanted so much to see her and tell her what a positive influence and role model she had been for me as a young girl. I loved singing in her school choirs and performing duets, and trios and triple trios under her tutelage. I've never forgotten the rigorous practices in preparing for the Kiwanis Music Festivals every spring!! She was such beautiful person, inside and out and I am sorry we never reconnected. One never forgets those who have left a mark in your life and Lois was the first in my life. My sincerest condolences to you all in the loss of this lovely lady. Pam (Parrott) Wilson
DEAR MEL & PATTI I WAS SORRY TO READ OF LOIS PASSING. IT CERTAINLY BROUGHT BACK ALOT OF WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF MY DAYS IN THE JUNIOR CHOIR AT CENTRAL UNITED CHURCH IN OWEN SOUND WITH LOIS AND MARION WILKIE. I AM NOT SURE IF YOU REMEBER ME I AM DOLLY & JIM McNEILS NIECE.. I ALWAYS THOUGHT ALOT OF LOIS. I FEEL IT WAS LOIS WHO REALLY GAVE ME MY MUSICAL START. I ESPECIALLY REMEMBER OUR PRACTICES GETTING READY FOR THE CHRISTMAS SERVICES AND THE KIWANIS MUSIC FESTIVAL. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD LOIS FOR A MUSIC TEACHER. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYRTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. KAREN McCullough PAISLEY, ONT
Dear Mel, Patti and Ann Marie, So sorry to hear of Lois' passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Laurie and Douglas Beatty
So very sorry to hear about Lois passing away. She badgered us about having our garden in the IODE garden tour and finally we relented in 2008. We are so glad that we did as we had so many wonderful people visit our garden. Lois was definitely a strong force in the IODE and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Sincerely, Cora & Ron Hillman
Dear Patti, My condolences to you, your father and Anne Marie. All of you are in my prayers at this difficult time.
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It was with sadness I heard of Lois' passing. It was a pleasure working with her in catering to the UCW Christmas dinner each year. My thoughts and prayers go to Mel and family.
~ Charlene Edwards