Willa Ann Peters
November 22, 1922 — July 26, 2016
Willa was born November 22, 1922 in Ft. Morgan, Colorado. Her mother died in childbirth so her father named her after her mother. Her father was 54 yrs. old and needed help from Willa’s extended family. Her widowed aunt Frances stepped in to help raise her. She spent her childhood in Colorado and moved with her “mother” to Lincoln, Nebraska to finish school. In high school she met Howard Melton.
At the age of 19, Willa came to California to marry Howard in June 1942. Howard was serving in the Army Air Corps as a flight instructor. They settled in San Diego and moved to Montebello after the War. She worked at Security Bank as the secretary to the bank President.
Cindy was born in 1950. Willa developed the same complication as her mother had, but thanks to “modern” medicine she was OK. They moved into their dream house on Spruce Street. Steve came along in 1953 with no complications and Willa became the typical 1950’s housewife and mother. She joined the PTA and loved baking goodies.
She and Howard joined the Montebello Methodist Church where they made many friends and participated in many activities. Willa helped with Vacation Bible School, preparing food for the various luncheons and was the Wedding Coordinator for several years organizing receptions held in the church hall. It was during one of these luncheons in the 1960’s that she discovered an old high school friend from Lincoln, Nebraska. Her name was Marge Risher. Marge and her husband Ray had moved to Montebello from Downey to open Risher Mortuary and had joined the church which was across the street.
In 1965, when Steve entered Jr. High School and Cindy High School, Willa went to work part-time at the church office as a secretary.
Howard Melton died in 1971 of a heart attack at the age of 51. Willa needed to find a full-time job to support herself and Steve who was about to graduate from High School. She went to work for Ostrom Chevrolet as a service department cashier where she worked until she retired in 1987. She also continued to volunteer at the church office and helped fill in when secretaries left or they needed extra help.
She met Les Peters at the church and they were married in 1977. They resided in Willa’s house on La Merced in Montebello. They enjoyed traveling and went to Hawaii several times, Mexico, Canada and around California. Les died in 1999.
Willa kept herself busy with friends and church activities. Her health was declining and in 2008 she met Isela thru mutual friends. Isela was a retired nurse assistant with many years working in nursing homes and taking care of people in their homes along with cooking and housekeeping. She and Isela became the best of friends. When Willa’s health continued to decline, Isela stayed during the night to make sure she was safe. Isela was the one who could convince Willa to go to the hospital when it was needed.
In May, Willa went to the hospital for her usual conditions. The doctors found cancer in her chest and throughout her abdomen. Her family took her home and she went on hospice care. It was important to Willa to die at home. Isela stayed with her 24/7 and made sure she wanted for nothing and was pain free. In fact, this was the first time in 25 yrs. that she didn’t have chronic pain.
Her family believes she is in a much better place. We also believe that Isela was her Guardian Angel.
She will be cremated and interred in Rose Hills next to Howard.
Condolences may be sent to her family through our website.
At the age of 19, Willa came to California to marry Howard in June 1942. Howard was serving in the Army Air Corps as a flight instructor. They settled in San Diego and moved to Montebello after the War. She worked at Security Bank as the secretary to the bank President.
Cindy was born in 1950. Willa developed the same complication as her mother had, but thanks to “modern” medicine she was OK. They moved into their dream house on Spruce Street. Steve came along in 1953 with no complications and Willa became the typical 1950’s housewife and mother. She joined the PTA and loved baking goodies.
She and Howard joined the Montebello Methodist Church where they made many friends and participated in many activities. Willa helped with Vacation Bible School, preparing food for the various luncheons and was the Wedding Coordinator for several years organizing receptions held in the church hall. It was during one of these luncheons in the 1960’s that she discovered an old high school friend from Lincoln, Nebraska. Her name was Marge Risher. Marge and her husband Ray had moved to Montebello from Downey to open Risher Mortuary and had joined the church which was across the street.
In 1965, when Steve entered Jr. High School and Cindy High School, Willa went to work part-time at the church office as a secretary.
Howard Melton died in 1971 of a heart attack at the age of 51. Willa needed to find a full-time job to support herself and Steve who was about to graduate from High School. She went to work for Ostrom Chevrolet as a service department cashier where she worked until she retired in 1987. She also continued to volunteer at the church office and helped fill in when secretaries left or they needed extra help.
She met Les Peters at the church and they were married in 1977. They resided in Willa’s house on La Merced in Montebello. They enjoyed traveling and went to Hawaii several times, Mexico, Canada and around California. Les died in 1999.
Willa kept herself busy with friends and church activities. Her health was declining and in 2008 she met Isela thru mutual friends. Isela was a retired nurse assistant with many years working in nursing homes and taking care of people in their homes along with cooking and housekeeping. She and Isela became the best of friends. When Willa’s health continued to decline, Isela stayed during the night to make sure she was safe. Isela was the one who could convince Willa to go to the hospital when it was needed.
In May, Willa went to the hospital for her usual conditions. The doctors found cancer in her chest and throughout her abdomen. Her family took her home and she went on hospice care. It was important to Willa to die at home. Isela stayed with her 24/7 and made sure she wanted for nothing and was pain free. In fact, this was the first time in 25 yrs. that she didn’t have chronic pain.
Her family believes she is in a much better place. We also believe that Isela was her Guardian Angel.
She will be cremated and interred in Rose Hills next to Howard.
Condolences may be sent to her family through our website.
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