Mrs. Maria O. Peters

Maria O. Peters was born on May 12, 1921 in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Juan Eladio Soto, son of Juan Eladio Soto and Manuela Pruneda and the Amparo Torres, daughter of Tomas Torres y Pacheco and Monserrate Gonzalez, and was named Maria Antonia Soto y Torres. Her Godfather was the Francisco A. Sabater, her Godmother Aida Carbonell. She was baptized on July 8, 1923, in the Church of our Lady of Guadeloupe, in Ponce, P.R by Father Don Ciriaco Berasategui. At 94 years of age she passed away to be with her Maker, ancestors and the loved ones that went before her, on November 11, 2015 at 6.07pm at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, GA. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, 421 Edgewood Lane, Albany, Georgia 31707 on Monday November 23, 2015 at 2:00 pm with The Rev. Finbarr Stanton officiating. Mrs. Peters entombment will take place immediately after at Crown Hill Mausoleum, 1907 Dawson Rd Albany, GA 31707. The day prior, Sunday November 22, 2015 at 6.00 pm, a Rosary will be held at Kimbrell-Stern at the same Dawson Road address with visitation to follow till 7:30 pm. Maria moved from Puerto Rico to New York, the Bronx, with her parents, brother John Soto and her sister Palmyra Martinez in what is believed the 1930’s. She must have been the Maria that Leonard Bernstein drew upon for West Side Story. She and Gerald (Gerry) O. Peters, who originated from Silvolde in the Netherlands, married on December 16, 1956 in New York City, NY and they were together in love for 34 years until his passing on November 14, 1990. Before that time they had moved several times, always with Gerald’s work as a teacher, from New York City to Greensboro, Connecticut to Rome, Georgia to find their last home in Albany, GA in 1979. Maria was a religious woman; her rosary was always with her, as it will be in her resting place. In Albany, Maria was very active in her church. She was instrumental in forming and promoting a Spanish ministry which she oversaw for many years. She was a communion minister and a member of the Friday morning Rosary Group, a prayer line member, a member of the Council of Catholic Women. She and her husband were active in the Knights of Columbus for many years. For her exceptional and humble services to the Catholic people and being always eager to go out of her way to be of service to her Church, Maria was the recipient of The Annual Bishop Gartland Award presented to her by the Bishops in Savannah on November 20, 2005. Her family and friends remember her as a sweet woman with a great sense of humor. She liked to dress well, look well, and was always very interested in how other people were doing everyone and was welcoming to all who came to visit, whether from far or close by she gave her guests her care, attention and love. Together with Gerry she traveled on numerous school trips to Europe, often taking the opportunity to visit the family in the Netherlands to celebrate holidays and to experience family events. In recent years, not being able to travel anymore and her laws in much the same circumstance contact between them was limited to phone calls and letters, both much enjoyed and appreciated by all, especially her husband’s oldest brother, the late Ben Oostendorp kept in regular contact with her. Also in recent years, she was blessed with the care and grace of her good friend Marlene Duke, who was there when she needed help most, and that of the staff at Phoebe Memorial Hospital, Wynfield Park and Evergreen Assisted Living. All that met her were touched by her and felt blessed knowing her. We will remember Maria Antonia Soto y Torres, Maria O. Peters in our prayers and hold her dear in our memories. May she rest in peace.

Mrs. Maria O. Peters

May 12, 1921 - November 11, 2015