Margrith Annette Pedersen Peters

Margrith Annette Pedersen Peters, 98, went to be with her Savior on September 27, 2017 in Alexandria, Virginia. A long-time and active resident of The Fairfax at Belvoir Woods, Mrs. Peters had been living in the Assisted Living area since 2014. Mrs. Peters was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on March 21, 1919, the third of four children of Annette Marie Nielsen and Carl Julius Henning Thomas Pedersen, turn of the century immigrants from Denmark. Her siblings were Vivian, Edith and Thomas. She graduated from high school in Canova, South Dakota, and then went on to the McKennan School of Nursing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduating in 1942. In November of that year she entered the U.S. Army as an Operating Room Nurse with the newly-formed 51st Evacuation Hospital. The hospital trained on the U.S. West Coast and then participated in the liberation of Europe. 1st Lieutenant Pedersen earned the European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars. She left the army on return to the U.S. in 1945. On January 3, 1945 Margrith married 1st Lieutenant Waldo William Peters in St. Die, France. Their post-war travels included several stateside postings as well as tours in Greece and Germany. In 1956, Captain Peters, stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, drowned in the South Platte River while on a fishing trip. To support herself and her three children, ages 10-3, Mrs. Peters made a short return to nursing, and then took up stenography. The family moved to Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., in 1960 to complete her training. She remained a resident of the national capital region for more than 50 years. In 1955 she professed her faith in Jesus Christ as Savior at the chapel of Ent Air Force Base where she enjoyed the ministry and fellowship of the choir. After moving to Virginia she grew spiritually through the Bible teaching of Pastor Jackson at Cherrydale Baptist Church, through Bible study, choir, church fellowship and also a few classes at Washington Bible College. She was an active member of the congregations of Cherrydale Baptist Church where she served as Treasurer for a time and later attended McLean Bible Church. She always enjoyed sharing her faith and encouraged others to trust Jesus, the One whom she continually relied on for strength and guidance. Mrs. Peters’ stenography work led her to a position as Secretary in the Washington office of the Sun Oil Company. She retired from Sun Oil as an Executive Assistant to the Director of the Washington office in 1980. In subsequent years, Mrs. Peters combined her nursing background and management skills to provide assistance and companionship for several older persons. Mrs. Peters enjoyed antiques and collectibles and her homes always reflected her interest. Mrs. Peters was the last of the Pedersen children. Her own children include William Peters of Annandale, Virginia; James Peters (died December, 2006 in Boise, Idaho); and Mary Scott of Herndon, Virginia. Mrs. Peters had seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at The Fairfax at Belvoir Woods, 9140 Belvoir Woods Parkway, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 on Friday, October 20th at 11:00 am in the Auditorium. A light reception will follow. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium Will be held on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 1:00 pm. Please assemble at the Administration Building by 12:15 pm Advent Funeral & Cremation Services In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to: Jill’s House 9011 Leesburg Pike Vienna, VA 22182 www.jillshouse.org/give-to-jh-now/ Please be sure to provide the name Margrith Peters in the Memorial Information section, with the address 1350 Rock Chapel Road, Herndon, VA 20170.