Ruth Ann Peters

Ruth Ann Peters, 90, of Washington, (Pancake), died Tuesday, January 26, 2016, in Strabane Woods Assisted Living, where she had resided for the past year. She was born April 1, 1925, in Washington, a daughter of the late Joseph D. and Essie Wyland Guinn. Mrs. Peters graduated from Washington High School in January 1943. She worked at First National Bank for 24 years, retiring as the manager of the Main Street office. Mrs. Peters loved music and dance, and learned to play the piano at six years of age. During high school, she played for school functions, and later, gave piano lessons in her home. Also, for 34 years, from 1963 till 1997, she was the organist at First Christian Church, Washington, where she was a life member. She also was choir director there for several years and played for many weddings throughout her lifetime. The church was a very important part of her life; Mrs. Peters rarely missed a Sunday. She enjoyed the friends she had at church and especially enjoyed going to lunch with the girls after the service. She was a former president of Church Women United, and, from 1981 till 1994, she was a member of the advisory committee of Blue Cross. Mrs. Peters was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and, in 1948, was crowned Sweetheart of the annual Sweetheart Ball. She was member of the song and dance group at Washington Senior Citizens Center, where Mrs. Peters continued to share her love of music and dance and staged productions for various functions. On March 9, 1945, she married John Normand Peters, who died August 4, 2001. Surviving are a daughter, Marsha (Larry Jay) Smith of Houston, Texas; two sons, Donald B. (Gina) Peters of Washington and Ralph E. (Mary Anne) Peters of Pittsburgh; eight grandchildren, Jason (Marla) Smith of Temple, Texas, Tyler (Lindsay) Smith of Cypress, Texas, Matthew Smith (partner Jason Berkowitz) of Austin, Texas, Kip (Cherie) Peters of Valencia, Klint Peters of Washington, Karah Peters of Ambridge, Scott (Lindsay) Peters of Sewickley and Kelly Peters of Pittsburgh; seven great-grandchildren, Caleb, Clara, Norah, Gwen, Brody, Kalan and Karter. Deceased are a brother, Fred W. Guinn, and a sister, Jayne Curry. Friends will be received Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, February 1st, with Rev. Stephen Smythers officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church, 615 East Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301.