In Memory: Donella Peters

Dear campus community,

I write with the sad news that Donella (Doni) Peters passed away at the age of 90 on March 24. For nearly 20 years, she helped sustain the daily rhythms of this campus as senior clerk in the St. Lawrence mailroom.

Among her family, friends, and former colleagues—and in the homes of many Saints hockey alumni—simply mentioning the name Doni evokes memories of her eagerness to help anyone, anytime she could. By opening her home to generations of hockey parents and players, she brought together so many people who became close friends.

Doni was born in 1931, married Glen Peters in 1952, and eventually settled in the Canton-Potsdam area where they raised their three children. Involved in the Canton Garden Club and Make-A-Wish Foundation, she was also an active member of St. Mary’s Church in Canton and the St. Lawrence hockey boosters.

Family meant the world to Doni. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 70 years, her three children, seven loving grandchildren and 10 adorable great-grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service at St. Mary’s Church followed by a burial at Fairview Cemetery in July. Following those services, Doni’s family will host a Celebration of Life at the Peters’ residence. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Mary’s Church, at 68 Court Street, in Canton.

As we mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, we are grateful to Doni for her service to St. Lawrence—and we honor the ways she helped strengthen our community.

Please join us in celebrating Doni’s life by sharing your memories of her on the St. Lawrence University website. You can read the remembrances of others here.

Sincerely,

Kate Morris