AMY LYNN PETERS

Amy Lynn Peters, a Westphal from home, passed away quietly and unexpectedly in her sleep on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, in Alpena from complications related to Marfan Syndrome.

Born in Gaylord, Michigan on Nov. 22, 1981, to Robert and Karen (Wojtkowiak) Westphal, she married Seth Wm. Peters on St. Lucy’s Day, Dec. 13, 2008. Amy met Seth at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she received the St. Catherine of Siena award for campus ministry, played trombone in the band and did theatre, served the college as an Ambassador, and spent a semester in Ireland with Cottage 5. She graduated with top honors and began her kindergarten teaching career at St. Thomas the Apostle. When led to the Diocese of Gaylord in 2010, Amy shared her joy and passion for the love of learning with the students and families at All Saints Catholic School and the parish faith formation program. Seth and Amy for several years at the diocesan Family Life and Respect Life Office prepared couples for holy matrimony. Amy also taught leadership skills to high school youth through the annual diocesan summer retreat known as CLI. She earned her Master’s Degree in 2021. She daily poured herself into the formation of faithful Children of God, including her own.

Surviving are her husband and their four children, Rita-Marie, Blaise, Margaret, Ambrose; parents, Bob and Karen Westphal; sister, Emily Westphal; her Busia and Jaja, Richard and Marie Wojtkowiak and her Grandma Jane; in-laws, Mike and Helen Peters; brothers-in-law, Andrew (Carrie) Peters and Fr. Joshua Peters, SJ; nieces Lucy and Goddaughter Clare, and nephew, Joseph; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins whom she loved dearly. Amy and Seth were sponsors to many children for whom they prayed regularly.

Amy was preceded in death by her grandfather, Charles Westphal, and a child she lost in miscarriage. Her family’s prayer and the prayer of so many whose lives she touched is that Amy will continue to radiate through “smiles and sunshine” the light and love of Christ. Amy served as a reader at Mass, an extraordinary minister of holy communion, as Co-President of the Catholic Women, and as Treasurer of the Rosary Society. She graduated as a proud Blue Devil from Gaylord High School in 1999. She was second runner-up in the Queen’s Court at Alpenfest in 2001, and she loved her Polish heritage, especially when dancing the polka.

Visitation will take place Sunday at Bannan Funeral Home from 2-8 p.m. with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 p.m., the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and parish prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Monday at St. Anne Church of All Saints Parish from 10 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Tyler Bischoff officiating.

Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to her children’s education fund.