Vivian Kay "Katie" Peters' Obituary
Vivian Kay ‘Katie’ Peters, 80, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve surrounded by family at home in Escondido, California.
Katie was born December 26th 1937 in Flint, Michigan to Vivian Kathleen Brown of Ontario Canada, and James Otis DeWitt of Arizona. As a child, Katie was naturally drawn to music, art, teaching, and caring for those in need.
In 1956, Katie graduated with honors from Flint Junior College. Katie moved from Michigan to San Diego, California in 1958. In 1960 Katie earned her degree in education from San Diego State University, married Duane A. Peters of Omaha, Nebraska, and began her middle-school teaching career at Grant, Del Dios, and Hidden Valley Middle Schools in Escondido, California. Katie specialized in serving highly gifted students as well as disadvantaged kids and their families in the community. Katie was honored to be selected Mentor Teacher 7 times over her career spanning 31 years.
Her first son, Jhame A. Peters, was born in 1965, followed by Griff O. Peters in 1967. Katie divorced in 1973.
Katie was a truly kind, patient, devoted and supportive mother who made great sacrifices for her family. She was also an avid learner, traveler, painter, gardener and tennis player. She loved playing bridge with her friends. She loved driving her little Toyota RV camper all around the country with her two boys. She was a fearless road-warrior. Always dreaming of new exciting horizons. Always playing good music… loud. One day it could be Mozart. The next day, ZZ Top… loud.
In 1980 Katie received her Master’s degree in school administration, served as assistant principal, and quickly learned she was much happier back in the classroom as a teacher and not an administrator.
In 1993 her first of 5 grandchildren were born. She often said her greatest joys in life were hanging out and being silly with the kids.
In 2001 Katie retired from school-teaching and became active in community service and the local Democratic Party. She travelled throughout the USA and Canada doing charity work with Habitat for Humanity for several years.
From her retirement until her passing, Katie managed to not win the lottery. Oh well.
Katie is survived by her siblings Caroline Palmer of Prescott, Arizona; Paul DeWitt of Spirit Lake, Idaho; and David DeWitt of Carlsbad, California; her sons and spouses Jhame and Sheri Peters of Thousand Oaks, California; and Griff and Vanessa Peters of Escondido, California; her grandchildren Andrew (Megan) Peters, Jesica Peters, Rose Peters, Tegan Ward-Ivey, and Mason Peters.
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