Jennifer S. Peters

 Jennifer Ann “GeeGee” Smith Peters is survived by her husband of 58 years, Michael Morris Peters of East Orleans, Mass.; their son James “Jamey” Michael Peters of Dallas, Texas; daughter-in-law Pressley; and four grandchildren: Julia Gray Peters of Cambridge, Mass., Christopher Wilton Peters of Dallas, Margaret Pritchett Peters, a student at Chapman University in Orange, Ca. and Arthur James Peters, a student at Babson College in Wellesley Hills, Mass. She is also survived by three sisters, Marcia Jenkins, Gretchen Chambers, Tina Becker, and first cousin Joe Knight.
  Jennifer was born September 8, 1942, in St. Louis, Mo., to Richard Prosser Smith and Jane Gray Smith. The eldest of four girls, she was affectionately known to her family as “GeeGee.” Her childhood included several moves before the family settled in New Jersey, where she attended Chatham High School.
Jennifer graduated magna cum laude from Washington University of St. Louis in 1964, majoring in Fashion Design. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and had a passion for theater and costume design. She spent two memorable summers in Central City, Colo., working as a wardrobe assistant at the Central City Opera House.
After graduation, she moved to New York City to pursue her dreams in fashion and immerse herself in the city’s vibrant life. She became a women’s sportswear designer for Perry Manufacturing and dedicated her time to a new women’s clothing division initially named Levi’s® for Gals for Levi Strauss & Co.
She met Mike in 1967 on an escalator in the Milliken Building near Bryant Park on Good Friday. They were married that September at the “Little Church Around the Corner” on East 29th Street. Soon after, they moved to North Stamford, Conn., where they renovated a historic home and raised Jamey.
Jennifer’s devotion to Mike and Jamey was unwavering. She volunteered for the Stamford Historical Society and worked in real estate during the 1970s and 80s for William Pitt. A lover of opera and theater, Jennifer infused her global travels with cultural experiences, often planning trips around performances and her husband’s work schedule.
Her favorite place on Earth was Cape Cod. In 1971, she and Mike purchased a cottage in East Orleans and later built a home on Little Pleasant Bay. They spent countless joyful days hosting friends, playing tennis, relaxing at Nauset Beach, and enjoying lobster—and lots of laughter.
Jennifer was an avid reader, gardener, traveler, and cook. She shared these passions generously with her family. Her cookies were legendary among her four grandchildren, and she always brought a lovingly packed assortment in her suitcase on visits. Many dinner guests were delighted by her award-winning New England Clam Chowder and fresh bread.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Cape Rep Theatre of Brewster, Mass., Snow Library of Orleans, Mass., or your favorite nonprofit organization.
A celebration of Jennifer’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sat., August 23, 2025, at Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Rd., Orleans, MA 02653, followed by a reception in the parish hall.