Barbara Cole Peters

BARBARA COLE PETERS, age 79, born January 30, 1945 in Strongsville, Ohio passed away November 11, 2024 in Knoxville, TN. Beloved daughter of the late Russell and Dorothy Cole, she was preceded in death by her loving sister, Janelle Cole. She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, John Peters; her loving son Russell Cole Peters (Rebecca); her grandchildren Isaiah Michael, Emily Marie, Alexander Cole, and Nicholas John; dear cousins Sally Spisak and Al (Sonny) Reitenbach. Barbara was a 1963 graduate of Strongsville High School where she was an outstanding student, Senior Prom Queen and recipient of the Citizenship Award, the schools highest honor. She received her bachelor's degree in political science (with honors) and master's degree from the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations (with distinction) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Barbara was an insurance vice president at Banker's Life Nebraska, and she founded her own corporate strategic planning consulting firm. She was a lifelong collector of 20th century vintage fashion and she curated and exhibited 13 shows from her world class collection in the Chicagoland area. Barbara was a beloved "First Lady" of Northern Illinois University where her husband, John, was President. She was a patron of the arts and she served as a role model for women students. She was the author of a four volume compilation of the letters and stories of early era women faculty and students at NIU, Women at Northern. For her many contributions to the NiU community, she was awarded the prestigious Geigle Award, the highest award bestowed by the NIU Alumni Association. Barbara brought style, grace, and elegance to everything she did. She was much admired and loved by all who knew her. She will be missed. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 17, 2024, Rose Funeral and Cremation-Mann Chapel. The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m., preceding the service. Interment Service will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution in memory of Barbara Cole Peters to the University of Tennessee Medical Center's Alzheimer's Research Initiative. Gifts can be made online or sent to the Office of Philanthropy at 2121 Medical Centers Way, Suite 110 Knoxville, TN 37920. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Barbara Cole Peters

January 30, 1945 - November 11, 2024