Obituaries

Dorothy Dickerson Peters

Always a kind, giving, and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher, Dorothy Dickerson Peters, 70, left us with her legacy of love, tolerance, and fun on July 26, 2014. 

Born and raised in Mattituck, she moved frequently in the early years with her husband throughout New Jersey, New York, and New England before settling in to raise her family primarily in the Finger Lakes region town of Cortland, N.Y., where she maintained many friends and fans. She retired with her husband to the beauty and peace of the Winding River golf and beach community located in Bolivia, N.C., where she enjoyed the camaraderie that came through golfing with friends, finding new shops and hidden treasures of the South, spending time with new and old friends, and sharing the wonder of life with her husband.

Growing up on the tip of the North Fork to parents who had a love of the beach and boating, Dottie, as she was known to friends and family, was never land-locked for long. Whether seeking out time on her native Long Island shores, planning trips to Florida and other beaches with her family, visiting with friends in the Finger Lakes, or, later, encouraging her husband and daughter to plan Caribbean and European holidays, her enthusiasm for sun, sand, and water, sometimes accompanied by a nice chardonnay, was infectious and undeniable.

Outgoing by nature, Dottie enhanced her social graces and developed lifelong friendships as a member of the Alpha Sigma Beta sorority while earning her bachelor’s degree in education at the State University of New York at Oneonta. A natural educator, she was a professional teacher of both elementary children and, later, struggling college students, having also earned her master’s degree and certification as a reading specialist at the State University of New York at Cortland.

Dottie is survived by her husband, Dr. Lee Peters Sr.; her son, Lee Peters II (Shannon Dintino); her daughter, Jill Peters (Ted Russell); and three grandchildren, Gavin Peters, Bryson Russell, and Avery Russell.

As is her wish, funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 1, from noon to 2 p.m. at Defriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck, with a funeral service taking place from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m., and a graveside ceremony at 3:00 p.m.

The family suggests that donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice & Life Care Center (http://www.hospiceandlifecarecenter.org/about/), or the cancer charity of your preference.

This is a paid notice.