Mary Sue Peters

Oct 23, 1957 -

Jul 26, 2024

Mary Sue "Suzy" Peters, nee Leavell, 66, died at her home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, July 26, 2024, after a short illness. Suzy had lived in Anchorage since 2005.

Suzy was the fifth child of Wilbur C. "Bud" and Ruth Ann Cain Leavell, late of Westerville, Ohio. Born in Indianapolis, Ind., on Oct. 23, 1957, Suzy graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, and then matriculated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. While attending Purdue, Suzy met and married David Thaddeus Peters of Dayton, Ohio. Dave was a career Air Force officer.

Together, Suzy and Dave raised four children, all of whom survive: Michelle (Jon) Peters-Fortner of Gahanna, Ohio, Annemarie Linhart of Anchorage, Alexander (Linh) Peters of Granger, Ind., and Victor Peters of Anchorage. They also buried one infant son, Michael Peters. The family lived on Air Force bases across the United States including Ohio, New York, Texas, California, Alaska, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Virginia, as well as Cirencester, England, near London.

Suzy began her training as a physical therapist at Loma Linda University in California and became a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She later earned her Ph.D., at Neumann University in Philadelphia, thereafter known as "Doctor Suzy" to many of her patients.

Following Dave's retirement from the Air Force as a Colonel, the couple relocated back to Anchorage. There Suzy has been employed as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, first at Independence Park Medical Services and later at St. Elias Specialty Hospital, until sidelined in March 2024 by her illness.

Suzy was an active member of the Alaska Kennel Club, where she was well-known for her champion chow chows. She was also a member of Therapy Dog International, taking great pride in owning the first U.S. certified therapy dog of the chow breed.

Suzy loved travel, RVing with her family throughout the Lower 48. She especially loved Alaska and its wildlife, although it was the musk oxen that claimed a special place in her heart.

Known for her generosity, Suzy was a regular contributor to charity, and loved finding gifts for friends, friends of her children and extended family. She often spent months choosing gifts for everyone, including oddities that may have only been mentioned in passing years prior. Her enduring kindness, compassion and frank advice saw her viewed as a second mother by many, giving help and support to all.

Suzy was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her six siblings, Marcia (Franklin) Laning of North Port, Fla., Shirley (Gregory) McPherson of Westerville, Lawrence (Helen) Leavell of Lake Forest, Calif., Steven (Irene) Leavell of Hope Mills, N.C., Elisa (Charles) McPherson of Warsaw, Ind., and George (Penny) Leavell of Merced, Calif.; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for Oct. 19, 2024, from 12-4 p.m. Services are being handled by Cremation Society of Alaska.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Suzy's name to the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, Alaska.