Sara “Sally” W. Peters Van Meter
Share
Sara W. Peters Van Meter, “Sally” died Monday, June 17, 2019 from complication with Alzheimer’s. She was born June 15, 1936, in Boston, Massachusetts, daughter of Thomas James and Alberta Whitney (Collins) Grigg. Her parents and her sister Elizabeth (Betty) Grigg preceded her in death.
She married Glenn Allan Peters on April 24, 1960, in Milton, MA. They lived in Ft. Huachuca, AZ, Rumford, ME, Tewksbury, MA, Pennington, NJ, Rose Valley, PA and South Charleston, West Virginia. They moved to Lawrence, KS in July, 1980. He died January 6, 1984. She married Earl L. Van Meter July 12, 1986. He survives of the home.
Sally worked for the U.S. Board of Education and the Lively, Light & Taylor law Firm in Charleston, W.V., Barber, Emerson LC, Kansas Board of Education, The University of Kansas, and retired from Lawrence USD #497 as Secretary for Vocational and Continuing Education and GED Examiner. She was a graduate of Burdett College, Boston, MA and Friends University, Wichita, KS.
She was a member and former Deacon of Plymouth Congregational Church and former member of Tewksbury Congregational Church, Massachusetts, First Methodist Church, Pennington, New Jersey and First Presbyterian Church, South Charleston, West Virginia.
Sally was a member and past president of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Preceptor Phi Chapter and former member of both the Douglas County and Reno County Legal Secretaries Associations.
Other survivors include her daughter, Susan W. Diekmann and husband, Jeff, Kansas City, MO; sons Gregory A. Peters, Park City, Utah and Stephen D. Peters, Olathe, KS, three stepdaughters, Nancy Coughenour, and husband Gene, Overland Park, Barbara Jacques, Winfield, and Karen Van Meter, Indianapolis, IN, four grandchildren, five step grandchildren and six step great grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Cremation is planned. Warren-McElwain Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Inurnment will be at Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston, MA at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2019. Laughlin Funeral Home (617-361-2410) is in charge of the inurnment arrangements.
The family will greet friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lawrence Humane Society and sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
We are so sorry for your loss. Sally was a sweet lady. It was so sad she had to get that awful disease.
Dear Earl,
I am very saddened by your loss . You have had to suffer too many losses.
I am thinking of you and pray that YOU will have good health.
I will always be grateful to you for your support in making our Kansas Kids Skiing program possible.
To Earl and children and grandchildren. I am so sorry for your loss. I know Sally’s last few years were difficult for her and heartbreaking for all of her family and friends. I worked with her at Barber Emerson In Lawrence, KS, back in the “good old days,” and so enjoyed her friendship. Who she was is a blessed memory for all of us.
Dear Van, Susan, Greg, and Stephen,
My heart goes out to all of you suffering the loss of Sally-a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother.
To me, Sally was my very
best-est friend ever,and. I, too, shall miss her as well.
I can only hope your warm memories of her and happy times spent will help you through this very sad and difficult time. We all loved Sally in our own ways and will always keep her close to us in our hearts.
Marshall and I send our love and condolences to all of you. Farewell,dearest Sally. Rest in peace.
Barbara and Marshall
Dear Earl,
I am so sorry for your loss but please know my prayers are with you & your family. Sally had such a fantastic smile and I loved all the times we walked together at Target. Even as she would forget things, she would smile as she would tell me that you had to do double duty to prevent problems. I remember when you had me out at the farm & she & I rode around of the area – she always was laughing & enjoying herself! Bless her heart … all my love.
Dear Earl,
It was so nice to meet you again after all these years. It was a pleasure to meet Sally as well at Bridge Haven. Sally and my Mom were neighbors for such a short time at Opa’s House. I pray you will find comfort and peace as you mourn the loss of the Sally you once knew and loved. With sympathy and caring,