Mary Ann Peters

Penfield - Friday, March 13th at age 83 at the St John’s Home after a lengthy stay and a short illness. 

 A private burial will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, followed by a Celebration of Life Service, reception and lunch at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Road in Webster, New York.                                                                             

Mary Ann was predeceased by her Son Lance E. Peters, MD; Parents Reverend Gilbert and Olga Oldsen; In-laws Robert and Virginia Peters; and Brother-In-law Larry Hanchett. She is survived by her Husband of 61 years Jeffrey Peters; Son Brendan (Jil) Peters; Grandchildren Grey and Jett Peters; Sister Annette Hanchett; Brother John (LuAnn) Oldsen; Sister In-law Vickie (Robert) Wheeler; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann was born in Batavia, New York on June 20th, 1942, and was the Valedictorian of the Batavia High School Class of 1960 where she was very active in the school’s music programs. She attended Valparaiso University in Indiana as a church organ major and was a member of the Chapel Choir that toured Europe. She attended classes at the Eastman School of Music and received her BA degree from Empire State College. 

Mary Ann first met Jeff Peters in kindergarten, were friends and classmates in the same high school, and were married in June of 1964. Early in her career, and in addition to raising her two boys Lance and Brendan, Mary Ann was an elementary music teacher at Elba Central School, taught private piano lessons, and was the organist/choir director at her Father’s church in Batavia – St. Paul Lutheran Church. 

Upon moving from Batavia to Rochester in 1973, she became the Organist and Choir Director (Music Director) at the St. Martin Lutheran Church in Webster where she served in that position for over 50 years before retiring in 2024 due to failing health. During that same period of time Mary Ann was a full time private piano teacher utilizing the Suzuki teaching methods. Many of her students started taking lessons at age 5 or 6 and continued until high school graduation. 

Mary Ann was previously an active member in the Rochester Chapter of the Valparaiso University Alumni Association and a co-director of the group’s annual Christmas Choir Concert. She was also an active member of The Rochester Area Suzuki Teachers’ Association, the Rochester Piano Teachers’ Guild, Inc., and the American Guild of Organists.    

She and her husband Jeff thoroughly enjoyed visiting their family and grandchildren in Seattle, and traveling to credit union related conferences. She was a supporter and regular attendee at RPO concerts, was an avid gardener and loved cooking and reading good novels.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Road, Webster, NY 14580.