Shirley M. (Davis) Peters

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and innkeeper Shirley Mae (Davis) Peters, 91 of Nantucket, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Commonwealth Senior Living in Hagerstown, Maryland.

She was born in Medina, NY in 1931 to the late Emmett and Emma (Bacon) Davis. She was married to the love of her life, Stuart Peters, from 1954 until his passing in 1985. Shirley and Stuart embarked together on a life of adventure, moving to Niagara Falls, NY, Atlantic City, NJ, Wakefield and Topsfield, MA, Tokyo, Japan and London, England, while raising 3 children along the way.

While living abroad, Shirley and her family memorably explored China, the South Pacific, Hawaii, the vineyards of France and the ski slopes of France and Austria. Upon returning to the United States in the 1980s, Shirley and Stuart settled on Nantucket, where they purchased and renovated a bed and breakfast.

Following Stuart’s death shortly thereafter, Shirley successfully ran the bed and breakfast for another 17 years and became a fixture in the island community. After retirement, she split her time between her cherished Nantucket and Rochester, NY where she became a regular volunteer in the local schools and enjoyed as much “grandchildren time” as possible. Playing cards with family always brought a twinkle to her eye. She was an avid euchre player who always had an ace up her sleeve and would politely remind her chatty children and grandchildren that “we’re here to play cards.”

Shirley is survived by her brother, Lowell and Eleanor Davis of Medina, NY; brothers-in-law Dick Peters of Grand Island, NY and Steve and Mary Ellen Peters of Huntsville, AL; her 3 children, Susan Peters and Mark Bailey of Vienna, VA, John and Robin Peters of Concord, MA and Jim and Kim Peters of Nantucket, MA.

She was the proud grandmother of 9 grandchildren: Brian Schimpf (wife Kori Schimpf), Amy Marshak (husband Evan Marshak), Richard Schimpf (wife Kim Stezzi), Lauren Peters, Sarah Peters, Stuart Peters, Joseph Connolly (fiancé Jane Conway), Jack Peters and Sam Peters. She is also survived  by 5 great-grandchildren, who always made her smile.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband, her sister and brother-in-law Carol and Vincent Meli, and her sister-in-law, Elsa Peters.

A private family memorial service was held at the United Methodist Church of Lyndonville, NY on October 29, 2022.

Memorials may be made to: Hospice of Washington County, MD or to the Alzheimer’s Association.