Peters, Sylvia E. (née Green) died peacefully, surrounded by her children, on May 6, 2018, in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 79. She died following a long battle with dementia.
Sylvia is survived by her children Kimberley Green (Lois Rifner), Lise Alexandra (Alexa) Newton (Kevin), Avram (Abe) Peters, and Benjamin Peters, all of St. Louis, MO; and Sara Peters (Steve Hurt) of Lombard, IL. She is also survived by her siblings, Laurence Craig-Green of Orland, ME; Cheryl Cavalconte (Charles) of Bristol, RI; and Adrienne Saxen of Westfield, IN. Sylvia also leaves behind two uncles and an aunt, as well as a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Julia O’Connell Green, of Springfield, IL, and Warren H. Green, of St. Louis, MO, as well as her husband, Milton D. (Pete) Peters, of Springfield, IL.
Sylvia was born on November 27, 1938 in St. Louis, MO to Julia (O’Connell) and Warren Green, and the family moved two years later to Springfield, IL, where Sylvia grew up. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, then obtained her nursing degree (RN) in 1959 at the St. Vincent DePaul School of Nursing in St. Louis, MO, before entering the U.S. Navy. She left the Navy and returned to Springfield, IL, where she worked at St. John’s Hospital and met her husband, Milton (Pete) Peters. She married him in 1967. While raising her children, Sylvia provided childcare for many other parents, filling the home with the happy noises of children playing. Once her children were mostly grown, she returned to school and obtained her Master’s in Health Administration from Sangamon State University/University of Illinois – Springfield, while again working as a nurse at St. John’s Hospital. After Milton died in 2000, Sylvia retired from nursing and moved to Indianapolis in order to be closer to her youngest sister, Adrienne. She lived in Indianapolis until 2017, when she moved to St. Louis to be nearer her children.
Sylvia was an incredibly accomplished seamstress, making her children’s clothing when they were young and then moving on to making quilts. She loved babies, and frequently made quilts for them. She enjoyed music and traveling and reading, and she loved to discuss politics. Her biggest joy, however, was her family. She delighted in her children, and especially loved large family gatherings, which often became silly and loud and filled with laughter. Her most common phrase was likely “Oh, you kids!” Although we will always miss her smile, and the joy she brought into the room, we also realize that she has reached a final peace on this earth; a peace that none can take from her.
A funeral is scheduled for 10:00 am Fri., May 11, with visitation at 9:00 am, at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Rd., Kirkwood. Burial to follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, with full military honors. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sylvia’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at 9370 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63132. Condolences can be sent to the family via Bopp Chapel (www.boppchapel.com). The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice, Laclede Groves Senior Living Community, and Clarity Care Givers for their care and dedication.