EAST LONGMEADOW – Elaine Legere Peters, 80, (1939–2019) passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Ludlow, MA on April 22, 1939, Elaine was the only child of Alban and Blanche (Mignault) Legere. Elaine was a 1956 graduate of Ludlow High School, attended American International College, and worked as an executive secretary at MassMutual before working full time at home to raise her three loving children. Elaine maintained a life-long passion for reading and learning and, later in life, she continued her education at Holyoke Community College. Elaine also loved working as a volunteer and gave her time to the Longmeadow Public Schools, Bay Path College and Baystate Medical Center, where she especially enjoyed working as a patient advocate.
Elaine met the love of her life, Philip, during a weekend girls’ trip to Misquamicut Beach in southern RI. Elaine and Philip married in 1962 and began their life together in East Hartford, CT before moving to Longmeadow, MA, where they resided for 47 years. Elaine played the piano, loved to dance and had a beautiful singing voice. She had a playful spirit and was happiest when surrounded by friends and family, cooking, laughing and entertaining. Elaine was a great Mom, a kind, loyal and generous friend, and a fun Grandma who adored playing and being silly with her grandchildren. She enjoyed skiing in Vermont, was an enthusiastic tennis player, and loved attending book club and playing bridge. Elaine also loved traveling and took several trips to Europe. She had an innate gift for connecting with people wherever she went and made many lasting friendships along the way and especially cherished spending time in Aruba with her husband Philip, where they vacationed for nearly 30 years.
Elaine leaves behind her loving and devoted husband of almost 57 years, Philip D. Peters of East Longmeadow; her children Philip Peters Jr. and his wife Catherine of Chardon, OH, Lisa Stock and her husband G. Blaine of Canton, GA, and Lauren Peters and her husband David Joncas of Wellesley, MA; grandchildren Leigh Lally and her husband Andrew, Sarah Peters, Anna, Margaret and Lillian Stock and Elizabeth and Evan Joncas, as well as her great grandchildren Hayden and Conor Lally. Elaine was predeceased by her beloved parents and her three Springer Spaniels, Kimba, Limey and Chelsea.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday, October 25th, 2019 from 4-7 PM at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA. A Celebration of Elaine’s life will be held on Saturday, October 26th, 2019 at 12 Noon at First Church of Christ, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, MA. A private burial will be held at Island Pond Cemetery in Ludlow, MA.
We would like to thank Elaine’s many dear friends and neighbors for their kindness and support throughout her illness. We would also like to thank Valerie Renaud-Rivera, Christie Dwyer Whalley and the dedicated caregivers from Kind Hands Care who enabled Elaine to remain at home with Phil until the end.
Memorial contributions in Elaine’s memory may be made to Baystate Hospice 280 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor Springfield, MA 01199. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.forastiere.co
