Margaret Genevieve Gale Peters passed away at the age of 100 on June 1, 2022, at her home in Fairhope, Alabama. She was a native of Mobile and a lifelong member of the Catholic faith. Margaret attended St. Mary Catholic School and was a 1939 graduate of Bishop Toolen High School. She was a member of St. Lawrence Church in Fairhope, Alabama.
Margaret was preceded in death by the love of her life, Edward Everett Peters, her devoted husband of 73 years; an infant daughter, Margaret Mary Peters; parents, Frances Theresa Laubenthal Gale and Ettrick Henry Gale; sisters, Frances Gale Hays and Marietta Gale O’Connor; and brother, Ettrick Henry “Buddy” Gale, Jr.
She is survived by her children, George Steven Peters (Kathleen) of Fairhope, Christopher Edward Peters (Lisa) of Foley, and Gale Peters Zieman (Michael) of Fairhope; godson and nephew Henry J. “Hank” O’Connor, Jr. of Mobile; as well as ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Margaret was proud to be a “Lefty” and often shared the story of how her left hand was tied in a paper bag at school to force her to learn to use and write with her right. As a result, she became ambidextrous and could use both hand equally well, a talent which she perfected at Palmer and Baker Engineering during the time they were designing the Bankhead Tunnel. She became an excellent draftsman and went on to work for the Mobile District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for over 32 years, drawing many of the extremely large maps needed for the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
Margaret was also an excellent seamstress. She created everything from children’s heirloom clothing to school uniforms, men’s suits to Mardi Gras costumes, debutante gowns to elegant wedding dresses. Margaret could do it all, often using her own designs and patterns.
Although she often worked full time, Margaret was a devoted mother. She was a perennial Room Mother, Girl Scout leader, Church festival chairman, Toastmaster, and Alumnae President. But she always felt her greatest and most rewarding job was that of a wife to her wonderful husband, Eddie, and mother to her children and grandchildren.
The family would like to thank St. Joseph’s Hospice, and the wonderful caregivers of Passion Care Sitter Service: Pam, Maeola, Miriam, and especially Ashley for her devoted care for the last ten years.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 1 -2 p.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. Graveside services will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mary’s Shelter Gulf Coast, P.O. Box 18, Elberta, AL 36530. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
