Joanna Maria Peters

We are saddened to announce that Joanna Maria Peters passed away on January 2nd, 2023, after a 14-month battle with metastatic peritoneal cancer. She was 77 years old. Through her grandchildren, Joanna became "Nana Jo" to her family. To her closest friends, she will always remain "Jo."

Joanna fought a difficult battle with cancer over the last year of her life, never giving up and reminding us what true strength and resilience look like. The cancer could not change who she was: generous, thoughtful, and fiercely determined. Whether someone knew her well or only knew her briefly, it was obvious how deeply she cared for others, and she dedicated her life to serving and supporting everyone she could.

Joanna had an accomplished career in education that spanned more than five decades, starting as an elementary school teacher in Philadelphia in the late 60's, becoming an English teacher at Hunter College High School in the '80s, and eventually finding her home at Westchester Community College, where she worked for 30 years as a Coordinator in the Academic Support Center, taught Reading and English as an Adjunct Professor, and held positions on numerous committees and boards.

As a child of war refugees, Joanna was a passionate believer in education and the opportunities it created. She worked tirelessly to support immigrant students in particular, sharing her love of literature and learning, and providing unwavering encouragement to help her students achieve their dreams.

Joanna also loved travel, film and theatre, wining and dining, great books, and lively conversation. With her vivacious personality and mischievous curiosity, life with Joanna was always an adventure!

In addition to the many lives she touched, her greatest pride and joy were always her children and grandchildren. Joanna is survived by her son, Erik, her daughter, Amanda, and her three grandchildren, Emilia, Sofia, and Henry, along with her sister, Fran, and cousin Nina. She dearly loved all of her relatives, extended family, her in-laws, close friends from many stages of her life, and her WCC family of colleagues and students, who all brought meaning and purpose to her life.

Though the family is grieving their loss, they find solace in knowing that their Nana Jo is at peace. In her final weeks, with her family at her side, she remarked frequently that she felt she had lived a good life.

A gathering in the celebration of Joanna's life will be held later in the month. The details are TBD.

In lieu of food or flowers, we invite you to contribute to the Westchester Community College Foundation, which funds scholarships and other programs for students in need, like the many students whose lives Joanna improved over the years. She loved her time at WCC, and one of her greatest desires was for her legacy of supporting students to continue.

Gifts in Joanna's memory are being accepted by the WCC Foundation athttps://www.sunywcc.edu/about/foundation/fund-for-wcc/general-fund-for-wcc/

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