Obituary for Carmela L. Peters
Fayetteville resident Carmela Louise Peters died Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at home, surrounded by close friends and family. Born to Rowena Louise Smithey and William Joseph Peters in Washington, DC on November 11, 1953, Carmela grew up in rural northwestern Connecticut where her parents managed the Interlaken Inn on Lake Wononscopomuc for almost 20 years.
Carmela lived a full life and gave her all to every job and every person she knew. Curious about everything, and talented in so many ways, Carmela was an avid cook, creative artist, excellent writer, loved to travel, and enjoyed redesigning and renovating her homes. When lung damage prevented her from flying and limited her mobility, she continued to drive at every opportunity, saying, “I feel free when I drive.” Every community Carmela has lived in has been touched by her generosity, and you were fortunate to be counted among Carmela’s friends. Family was the most important thing in her life.
Carmela graduated from Cazenovia College and attended SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. She worked in education, in the country inn and restaurant business, at the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, and most recently for Syracuse University’s Center of Excellence.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2012, Carmela was an active patient advocate and attended medical and nutritional conferences and cancer retreats throughout the United States in an effort to learn more about her disease. She belonged to several cancer forums and communicated with fellow cancer patients from around the world sharing her experiences, knowledge, and hope.
Carmela is survived by her twin brother, Len Peters (Renu Youthongkam); her sister, Pamela Peters (Walter Putrycz); her brother, Ronald Peters (Laurie Traylor); a nibling, Elzbieta Putrycz; nephew, Evan Putrycz; nephew, Peach Eadnamit; and great niece, Emerson Peters. She was pre-deceased by her niece, Keegan Rowena Peters. Carmela was extremely close to her numerous cousins, many friends, and support group pals whose love and support never wavered throughout her cancer journey.
A funeral service will be held in Fayetteville at a later date. A Celebration of Life and scattering of ashes will take place in her hometown of Lakeville, CT next summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations in support of ovarian cancer research may be made to The Clearity Foundation, an organization which strives to improve treatment options for ovarian cancer patients, at 434 West Cedar Street, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101 or Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114. Donations may also be made in Carmela’s memory to Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, 6606 Kinne Road, Syracuse, NY 13214.
Carmela lived a full life and gave her all to every job and every person she knew. Curious about everything, and talented in so many ways, Carmela was an avid cook, creative artist, excellent writer, loved to travel, and enjoyed redesigning and renovating her homes. When lung damage prevented her from flying and limited her mobility, she continued to drive at every opportunity, saying, “I feel free when I drive.” Every community Carmela has lived in has been touched by her generosity, and you were fortunate to be counted among Carmela’s friends. Family was the most important thing in her life.
Carmela graduated from Cazenovia College and attended SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. She worked in education, in the country inn and restaurant business, at the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, and most recently for Syracuse University’s Center of Excellence.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2012, Carmela was an active patient advocate and attended medical and nutritional conferences and cancer retreats throughout the United States in an effort to learn more about her disease. She belonged to several cancer forums and communicated with fellow cancer patients from around the world sharing her experiences, knowledge, and hope.
Carmela is survived by her twin brother, Len Peters (Renu Youthongkam); her sister, Pamela Peters (Walter Putrycz); her brother, Ronald Peters (Laurie Traylor); a nibling, Elzbieta Putrycz; nephew, Evan Putrycz; nephew, Peach Eadnamit; and great niece, Emerson Peters. She was pre-deceased by her niece, Keegan Rowena Peters. Carmela was extremely close to her numerous cousins, many friends, and support group pals whose love and support never wavered throughout her cancer journey.
A funeral service will be held in Fayetteville at a later date. A Celebration of Life and scattering of ashes will take place in her hometown of Lakeville, CT next summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations in support of ovarian cancer research may be made to The Clearity Foundation, an organization which strives to improve treatment options for ovarian cancer patients, at 434 West Cedar Street, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101 or Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114. Donations may also be made in Carmela’s memory to Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, 6606 Kinne Road, Syracuse, NY 13214.