A Life of Learning

Marian Peters

There was no one more committed to education and self-improvement than Marian Peters, a Saint Mary鈥檚 alumna who earned four university degrees.

鈥淢arian was the consummate life-long learner,鈥 says Ruby Theriault, a friend and colleague of Ms. Peters and co-executor of her estate. 鈥淪he was always studying.鈥

Born and educated in Halifax, Marian Peters worked as a stenographer, secretary and court reporter before attending Saint Mary鈥檚 University. While completing a Bachelor of Arts, she distinguished herself by placing fourth in a worldwide poetry contest sponsored by an American magazine called 鈥淭he Lyric鈥.

After graduating from Saint Mary鈥檚 with a Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) in 1962 and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in education (cum laude) in 1964, Marian accepted a teaching position in the academic upgrading program at HMCS Stadacona. While employed there, she completed her Master鈥檚 Degree, devoting her thesis to the poet Kahlil Gibran. Her passion for the Lebanese American philosopher and pride in her own Lebanese heritage earned Marian an invitation to Boston in 1975 for the dedication of a Kahlil Gibran monument and a subsequent speaking engagement at the Boston Public Library.

Teaching took Marian from coast to coast in both Canada and the United States. Retirement afforded her the time to earn a Fine Arts degree from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (BFA鈥03). 鈥淪he was in her late 80鈥檚 when she graduated,鈥 recalls Ruby Theriault.

An enthusiastic artist, prolific writer, and proud member of the Class of 鈥64, Marian passed away in August 2014, leaving a generous bequest to Saint Mary鈥檚 University. What better way for a life-long learner to recognize the importance of her own education and, at the same time, create educational opportunities for others?

Charitable registration: # BN11918 9900 RR0001