Sandra Peters

Sandra Lee Peters, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, educator, and world traveler, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 15, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on Nov. 5, 1941, in Corsicana, Texas, to Arthur Lee and Vera Price.
Sandra’s early years were marked by new experiences and change as her father’s profession as an accountant for a pipeline led the family to move frequently. Adopting the nomadic lifestyle, and setting a lifetime drive to see the world, Sandy embraced education and excelled academically. She attended high school and college in Pennsylvania, ultimately graduating from Penn State University with a degree in History. Later, she pursued her passion for language and culture, earning a Master’s Degree in Linguistics from the University of Indiana, Bloomington.
Her professional journey began in an unexpected place — a computer programming job using punch cards, an experience she reminded her daughter any time she needed help with technology. However, it was during her time in Europe that Sandra discovered her true calling. Immersed in the diverse languages and cultures of Germany, Austria, France, and Spain, she fell in love with teaching English as a Second Language and the students it attracted.
In Spain, Sandra met her lifelong partner and husband, Thomas Peters, with whom she shared a deep bond and two beautiful daughters, Robin (Stormy) and Dana. Together, they embarked on a global adventure, residing in diverse locales such as South Dakota, Washington State, Alaska (north of the Arctic Circle), Iowa, Spain, Mexico, Guinea, and Japan. Throughout their travels, Sandra’s passion for education and cross-cultural understanding remained steadfast.
An esteemed educator, Sandra taught at universities around the world, including Oregon State, Michigan State, Harvard, and Miyazaki International College. She was renowned in her field of Teaching English as a Second Language, known for her innovative teaching methods and unwavering dedication to her students. Sandra was a lifelong learner, constantly studying and incorporating new ideas into her teaching practices. She spoke at conferences and pioneered approaches such as learning languages in context and having her students create online publications.
Beyond her professional achievements, Sandra will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and adventurous spirit. She made lifelong friendships wherever she went, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Sandra is survived by her loving husband, Thomas; cherished daughters, Stormy (Frank) and Dana; grandsons, Jacob and Caleb; sister, Ann Davis; and a host of relatives, friends, and former students who will carry her memory in their hearts forever. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents Arthur Lee and Vera B Price.
A celebration of Sandra’s life will be held on April 27, at 10 a.m. at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Elkton with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family to be donated to a local charity.