Mary L. (Landram) Peters

Mary L. Peters went home to be with her beloved late husband, Norman K. Peters, on January 14, 2026. She was born on October 11, 1930, to Elizabeth Vaughan and Edward Wootan Landram in Visalia, California. She was the oldest of three children and adored her sister, Elizabeth (Peter) Roepke and was preceded in death by her brilliant, warmhearted brother, Charles (Pam) Landram.

She relished being an only child until the age of 9, going to Giants games with her dad and playing with her Nana down the street. It was then she got her first real lesson in sharing when her siblings were born, but quickly realized they were the best gift she could ever receive. While they were younger in age, Mary always looked up to and took great pride in the families and lives her siblings created as well as their careers.

Mary graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and enjoyed her early adult years living in downtown San Franciso with girlfriends and working at the telephone company. She was always very sociable and up for a little good fun like riding through wine country in a convertible and entertaining potential suitors on double dates by fixing rabbit brought home by her friend who worked in a medical lab.

It was at a church dance in Palo Alto that she met the love of her life, Norm, who grew up on a farm in Iowa and was working in California as an aerospace engineer. When he proposed, he asked Mary if she’d be willing to move for a job offer in South Bend, Indiana. She quickly agreed and they married on February 17, 1963. Their honeymoon was a cross-country ride in their Thunderbird, visiting Niagara Falls and other landmarks along the way. You can imagine her surprise when they finally arrived in front of their first home, a small ranch in the middle of winter.

Mary always wanted to be a housewife and mother. She quickly adapted to life in the Midwest, but her love of California and all it represented never left her heart. She was blessed with a son, David Scott (Tami) and daughter, Susan Elizabeth, creating the little family she always dreamed of. She had a way of making everything extra special, even on an ordinary day. She was simply the best mother and wife “and that’s final” as she was known to say.

Her adventurous heart caused her to stumble upon a new, Mother/ Daughter Indian Guide’s group forming in the 70’s. Socializing with other moms while creating a new, friend group for her daughter? Fait Accompli. They had a blast doing crafts, noshing and bantering, celebrating holidays, and planning outings. A few that stand out are dressing up as matching Fruit of the Loom guys for Halloween, riding the South Shore to explore Chicago, and having a slumber party in a barn. While the girls and their moms had loads of fun going on hayrides and playing games, there was an actual house close by with plumbing, heat, and refreshments. After all, the moms did have standards.

When her children were well established in school, Mary secured a master’s in teaching from Indiana University and became a 3rd grade teacher at Stanley Clark School. She enjoyed watching her students grow up and become everything from her doctor during a hospital visit to a world-renowned operatic baritone who stopped to perform at the Morris Civic Auditorium. She developed close friendships with several of her colleagues and probably even engaged in occasional gossip in the teacher’s lounge just to keep things lively.

After retiring, she loved spending time with Norm and was especially excited to be a Nana to two grandchildren, Elizabeth Lawton (Braden James McGill) and Ashton Peters.

Mary loved being a member of P.E.O., an organization where women motivate, educate, and celebrate women through projects and philanthropy. She enjoyed lunches and events with her sisters while creating lifelong friendships. That bond was never clearer than in her final days as they rallied around her family with food, visits, and stories.

Her family is especially grateful to Dr. Sylvana Atallah, StoryPoint Granger, and all the loving staff who cared for her. They take comfort Mary was able to live independently until the last several weeks of her life as she hoped and is now reunited with her beloved Norm after nearly seven years.

Mary was laid to rest in a private service on January 30th at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. Palmer Funeral Homes- Welsheimer North Chapel assisted the family with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Clay United Methodist Food Pantry, 17646 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN 46635.

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