Elaine H. (Cloyd) Peters, 87, of Haverhill, died June 21, at Holy Family Hospital at Merrimack Valley with her family by her side.
Born in Arlington, Feb. 20, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Arthur R. Cloyd of Merrimac and Helen Braithwaite of Cross Junction, Virg. She attended schools in Arlington and Medford and the Malden Business School. She lived in Amesbury until she married her husband, Raymond J. Peters, April 29, 1949. They first lived in a trailer built by her father as a wedding gift, that was located at Bay State Trailer Camp, which later became North Shore Mobile Homes. As their family grew, they found a house in Haverhill where she lived more than 60 years. The family would continue to grow until there were seven, the last two twins. After the twins were born her father said “stop.” Peters worked at the former Hale Hospital as a transcriber and, for a short time, as an assistant to a magician. She later worked for Imperial Cleaners more than 20 years, as well as the former Samuel Roberts Company. After retirement Elaine and Ray worked for their son, Robert, in his Farm Stand in Merrimac. She was also very active with her church, Good Shepherd Methodist Church. She joined the church when it was located on Winter Street across from the YMCA. Even when she could no longer attend the church services, she mailed cards for the church to its members for their birthday, anniversary or just a get well. Church members would call to thank her and some would say it was the only card they got. She recently had to give up the privilege of sending cards and turned it over to a church member with hopes someone would continue her mission.
She was proud of her family history also. On her mother’s side relatives came over on the Mayflower, on her father’s side, she was told they came from Scotland and had been traced back to the 1600’s. Christmas time was special to Elaine, even after the children were grown – there was an endless supply of grandchildren and then great-grandchildren. She probably got the Christmas spirit from her father who was the original “Red Suit” in the Merrimac Santa Parade. Elaine and Ray would decorate the house inside and out and not just Christmas, they loved all the holidays. When you went to their house, there was no question what was being celebrated.
She was predeceased by her husband June 24, 2013 and her sister, Shirley Omps of Cross Junction, Virg. Feb. 9, 2006. She is survived by three sons, James Peters and wife Louise of Plaistow, N.H., Robert Peters of Merrimac, and Clifford Peters and wife Nancy of Haverhill; four daughters, Linda Munroe and husband Robert of Dover, N.H., Pamela Pearson and husband Richard of Haverhill, Sheila Belmer of Bradford and Cynthia Peters-Beaudoin of Haverhill; sister, Carolyn Lewis of Cross Junction, Virg.; 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. She will be especially missed by her longtime friend and neighbor, Jackie Marzioli, as well as all of the neighbors who considered her a friend and some a mother.
Visiting hours at the Monument Square Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family-Carnevale Funeral Home, 334 Main St., Haverhill, are Tuesday, June 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services take place Wednesday, June 29, 10:30 a.m., at Good Shepherd Methodist Church, 471 Main St., Haverhill, followed by interment in Mount Prospect Cemetery, Amesbury. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Good Shepherd Methodist Church, 471 Main Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.